By A Correspondent- A lion is suspected of having killed and devoured a woman from the Gache Gache area in Kariba who went missing last Friday only to be found with half her body missing.
The woman, identified as Sibongile Ncube, is said to have died last week Friday while on her way from Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme about 12 kilometres from Gache Gache village.
She reportedly left the irrigation scheme for the village on Friday intending to return on the same day.
The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) on Wednesday recovered the body and took it for postmortem following a request from the family who are suspecting foul play.
Ward 2 Nyaminyami RDC Councillor Kudzanayi Makanyaire confirmed the incident which has left the community shocked.
He said:
Information at hand is that the woman visited the village on Friday and left later that day to return to the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme.
When she left, she had a torch and was riding a bicycle. However, she did not reach the village as expected by her husband.
… We are greatly shocked by the incident where this woman lost her life under mysterious circumstances.
Her body has been taken by police for postmortem following the request by her family who are still shocked by her mysterious death.
We are not yet sure when the body will be back for burial.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league has announced that they want to push for the amendment of the party constitution to give more years for Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in power.
If this happens, it would mean that Mnangagwa’s deputy Constantino Chiwenga who is fighting to takeover power from the incumbent, would be doomed.
Chiwenga believes he should be the President because he helped to Mnangagwa, in 2017 when they removed the former President, Robert Mugabe, through a coup.
The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said Mnangagwa must rule forever.
Said Chirau: We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms. Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:
The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.
By A Correspondent- Douglas Mwonzora’s MDC has joined the Zanu PF’s sanctions removal campaign.
A senator in the Mwonzora’s party, Mogen Femai, said Zimbabweans were President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s children and therefore were affected by targeted sanctions imposed on him.
Some of Zimbabwe’s political elites are under United States of America financial sanctions for alleged human rights abuses and corruption, among them State Security Minister Owen Ncube and the country’s ambassador to Tanzania Anselem Sanyatwe.
In the Senate during the debate of the SONA speech, Femai argued that sanctions affect every Zimbabwean citizen even if they could be targeted at certain individuals. He said:
Mr President, I want to talk about sanctions. Yes, there are some who say sanctions are good while others are saying they are affecting us. It is true sanctions affect us. They are not good for us because if you find yourself with a catapult, you see a bird in its nest and you attack it, it means you have killed the chicks as well because if you kill the mother, you have killed the children as well. We are President Mnangagwa’s children and if he is under sanctions and we are his children, where do we get food from because the person who gives us food is the one who has been slapped with sanctions? So, it means we should build our economy on our own. If we have illegal gold panners paying taxes and if we engage on Pfumvudza, it will help us to build on our economy.
Femai also took the opportunity to hit out at pirate taxis (Mushikashika), accusing them of destroying roads that have been rehabilitated by President Mnangagwa. He said: …I think pirate taxes should really be investigated because they do not follow traffic safety rules. They are the ones damaging the roads that will have been rehabilitated by the President. The pirate taxis should be investigated so as to find out why we have a lot of illegal taxis on the roads. Who owns them?
By A Correspondent- A man from Chivi District, Masvingo Province, was last week on Thursday killed in cold blood by the husband of a woman he was having an adulterous affair with.
The victim, Josiah Manatsa (36), was lured to a borehole by the aggrieved husband, Laurey Tafirei (25) of Madungwe Village under headman Watungwa, using phone messages who then stabbed him to death.
Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa confirmed the incident which took place on 15 October.
Sources told The Mirror that in the evening before the fateful day, Tafirei clashed with his wife Brenda Ainos (23) over a love message received from Manatsa.
Tafirei grabbed his wife’s phone and continued chatting with Manatsa as if he was Ainos.
At around 4 am, he armed himself with a knife and a catapult and invited Manatsa for a nice time by the village borehole.
Oblivious of the source of the message, Manatsa obliged and went to the borehole where he was stabbed in the back and chest by the accused.
Tafirei left the scene after committing the crime and went and reportedly told his friend Silas Midzi (40) about the incident.
Tafirei and Midzi then went to report the issue to the village head Hikira Madungwe (79) and the three went to the scene where they found Manatsa lying in a pool of blood.
Tafirei who was now in a state of panic ran away from the scene but was later apprehended by the police.-masvingomirror
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league has shut doors for the Zanu PF vice president, Constantino Chiwenga who wants to take over power from Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Chiwenga is fighting to takeover power from Mnangagwa, whom he imposed in 2017 after they removed the former President, Robert Mugabe, through a coup.
The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said it wants to do this by amending the party constitution to allow Mnangagwa to rule forever.
Said Chirau: We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms. Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:
The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF youth league said it wants the party President Emmerson Mnangagwa to stay in power for long.
The party’s youth leader Tendai Chirau said it wants to do this by amending the party constitution.
Said Chirau: We agreed that it is important that if the constitution of the country can be amended so that he (Mnangagwa) can have more than two terms. Chirau also said that the ZANU PF youth league is endorsing President Mnangagwa as their 2023 presidential candidate. He said:
The first thing we discussed and agreed on as the executive national youth league is that His Excellency President Emerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa is our sole candidate for the party in the 2023 elections because he has shown less than three years good leadership so we do believe that he should continue.
By A Correspondent- The MDC-Alliance led by Nelson Chamisa has challenged the Zimbabwe Republic Police to uphold the constitution.
In a statement Friday after several attacks on the party leader during his ongoing meet the people national tour, MDC-Alliance spokesperson said the police should be ashamed.
Below is the Full statement :
Under Section 219 of the Constitution, the Police Service have an obligation to preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe, maintain law and order as well as a duty to protect and secure the lives and property of the people.
In light of this constitutional imperative, the MDC Alliance is concerned with the political posturing by the Police Service and the unfounded allegation that members of the MDC Alliance are not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of President Nelson Chamisa and political violence that took place on Monday 18 October 2021.
We wish to place on record the fact that a police report was made by our members led by Vice President Karenyi-Kore in the company of our Organizing Secretary, Hon Chibaya, our Deputy Secretary-General, Hon Chimhini and Hon Mutseyami. The report was recorded under RRB4124513. It was made in the presence of our lawyers.
We are accordingly surprised that Police Spokesperson Paul Nyathi alleged to the press that he was unaware that a report had been made. His allegation is simply untrue.
The police sent forensic officers to inspect the vehicles and conduct a check on the number plates of the vehicles concerned.
The police officers were given access to the vehicles and full cooperation. Our lawyers were present at all times. The officers took photographs and the ballistic team conducted their examination.
Accordingly, we are surprised to learn of an alleged failure by us to co-operate communicated through the press. It is not true that we have not cooperated.
What troubles us is the fact that no investigations have commenced or arrests effected in respect of the actual perpetrators of the attempted assassination and political violence.
Four days after video footage went viral of the perpetrators of the violence, why have no arrests have been effected?
Why are the police allowing ZANU PF to erect illegal roadblocks and disturb the free movement of vehicles?
Why are these thugs being allowed to search citizens who are going about their business?
Why is ZANU PF being allowed to unlawfully bus in in excess of 300 thugs to our meetings with community leaders and harass and abuse our members?
The descent into lawlessness and the breakdown of the rule of law call into question the independence of the police and their commitment to carry out their constitutional functions.
We call into question the professionalism and independence of the Police who have actively worked against us in the past and throughout the course of this citizen conversation tour.
They have been taking instructions from Zanu PF thugs at roadblocks and shielding the perpetrators of violence committed against us. They have watched while we were being stoned and mobbed.
Instead of ensuring the safety and security of persons and property in line with their constitutional imperative, they have either turned a blind eye or been complicit in the violence. Where is their bona fides or fidelity to the Constitution?
The events of the last fortnight demonstrate that they have not exercised objectivity in their dealings with us since the political violence started in Masvingo.
There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally. The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective.
They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims. We saw what they did with the MDC trio.
Following the abduction, torture and sexual assault of Joana Mamombe, Cecilia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova, a police report was made which led to the arrest of these women on allegations of communicating falsehoods.
They were then prosecuted for making the report while the perpetrators were never brought to book.
Several other victims of political violence and torture have suffered the same fate. Their modus operandi and pattern of conduct tell a sad tale.
We call for the Police Service to focus on holding the perpetrators of violence to account in accordance with their obligations under section 219 of the Constitution.
Dynamos Football club supporters have rallied each other to get vaccinated following a decision by the Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) to allow fans to return to stadia.
In a notice widely shared on social media, Dynamos fans hailed the SRC decision to allow supporters back to stadia.
Below is the full notice….
*NOTICE TO ALL DEMBARE FANS*
As we relish the good times of Chazunguza ripping into our hapless opponents that come our way at any venue,we are pleased by the decision taken by local authorities to allow us back into the Stadiums after a long time.
I do hereby urge every Chazunguza family member to get vaccinated against this deadly global pandemic so that we may all gain entrance into the stadium to cherish the spirit of Chazunguza again.
For this weekend’s match against HARARE CITY no fans will gain entry as the PSL is still finalising on how fans will gain entry during the Quater Finals of the Chibuku Super Cup.
We will continue watching online or Ztv while we wait for PSL to complete the plan on how we shall be entering the stadiums.
THE Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Commission (OHCHR) has invited submissions from various stakeholders for the United Nations special rapporteur Alena Douhan, who is on a 10-day visit to Zimbabwe, to probe the impact of targeted sanctions on the country.
Douhan arrived in Harare on Monday to assess the impact of the Western-imposed sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans.
She came at the invitation of government.
The Zanu PF regime blames the sanctions for the collapse of the economy, but Western countries, the United Kingdom and the United States in particular, have, however, maintained that corruption, disregard of property rights and abuse of human rights were fuelling Zimbabwe’s economic woes.
On Monday, government released an itinerary indicating Douhan would only meet government officials and agencies, sidelining civic society and the opposition — long accused by the ruling Zanu PF party of inviting the embargos on the country as a regime change strategy.
But OHCHR has invited submissions from various stakeholders to enable Douhan to fully assess the impact of the sanctions on the country.
The move will be a slap in government’s face after it had sought to bar her from meeting opposition parties and civic organisations.
“The special rapporteur proposes to meet with various representatives of the government of Zimbabwe,” the OHCHR said in a statement on Monday.
“She will also have private meetings with UN agencies present in Zimbabwe, as well as international organisations, regional organisations, international financial institutions, the national human rights institution, and representatives of the diplomatic community present in Harare.”
OHCHR added: “She would also like to meet with non-governmental, business community, civil society organisations and opposition, in particular, those whose activities may be affected by unilateral coercive measures, as well as academics with specific expertise in this field. Those private meetings will be organised by the Special Rapporteur’s office.”
The special rapporteur will present her findings and recommendations in a report to the Human Rights Council in September 2022.
The OHCHR said written submissions would be considered for Douhan’s final report.
“Your responses will be kept confidential. Neither you nor your organisations will be identified, nor will your response not be attributed to you or your organisation, under any circumstances,” the UN agency said.
Douhan was appointed special rapporteur in March 2020.
In February, she visited Venezuela to assess the impact of sanctions imposed by the United States, the European Union and other Western countries on the country.
In her preliminary report, she said the sanctions “have exacerbated the economic and humanitarian calamities in Venezuela”.
In November 2020, Douhan was in Qatar, where she also made a preliminary statement critical of the sanctions imposed on that country.
The next month, Douhan also made a statement on US sanctions against the Syrian government saying they “may inhibit rebuilding of Syria’s civilian infrastructure” destroyed by the conflict, and may “violate the human rights of the Syrian people”.
Her comments were welcomed by the government of Bashar al-Assad, while the US special envoy for Syria rejected her findings.
Zimbabwe was placed on US sanctions under the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act of 2001 over gross human rights violations following the violent land reform programme as well as successive violent elections.
Mnangagwa has been clamouring for their removal, soliciting the support of Sadc and the African Union, but the US has demanded implementation of reforms as a pre-condition for the removal of the sanctions.
Douhan’s visit comes at a time when the United States Department of Treasury has noted in its review of the sanctions that further refining the policy is necessary to ensure that “economic and financial sanctions remain an effective tool of US national security and foreign policy”.
“To effectively confront these changes, Treasury must modernise and adapt its sanctions policy and operational framework,” part of the nine-page sanctions review paper read.
“A refined policy rubric and options for modernising Treasury’s sanctions infrastructure will provide Treasury with the right tools to stay ahead of these changes and the adversaries seeking to take advantage of them.”
Douhan’s visit also comes at a time the country is experiencing a rise in cases of politically-motivated violence.
Cape Town – Justice Minister Ronald Lamola has confirmed that the extradition of self-proclaimed prophet Shepherd Bushiri is still under way with judgment on some of the aspects of the case awaited in a court in Malawi.
Lamola said it was still the intention of the government to bring Bushiri back to South Africa to face the law after he escaped late last year.
However, the extradition process has been held up in court where Bushiri is opposing it.
Lamola said when they put in place processes to bring Bushiri back they followed all aspects of the law.
Bushiri escaped with his wife Mary late in 2020, and at the time they were standing trial for fraud and money laundering amounting to millions of rand.
They were out on bail of R200 000 each.
Since his escape Bushiri has been fighting South African authorities wanting to bring him back to face trial.
But Lamola, who was replying to a written question in Parliament from IFP MP Liezl van der Merwe, said they were now awaiting judgment on the matter of whether witnesses should be allowed to travel from South Africa to give evidence in Malawi.
“During November 2020, a request was received from the National Director of Public Prosecutions (NDPP) for the extradition of Shepherd Huxley Bushiri and Mary Bushiri from the Republic of Malawi to the Republic of South Africa to stand trial on various charges. The request was subsequently delivered at the office of the Attorney-General in Malawi on December 5, 2020. The extradition hearing proceeded in the Lilongwe magistrate’s court in Malawi.
“On April 19, 2021, the attorneys acting on behalf of the Bushiris argued in court that South Africa could not rely on the SADC Protocol on Extradition as the Protocol has not been domesticated in accordance with section 211 of the Republic of Malawi’s Constitution. The court ruled that even though the Protocol had not yet been domesticated, that Malawi’s Extradition Act clearly demonstrates in the First Schedule to that Act that South Africa is a designated country for purposes of extradition, and therefore ruled in favour of the prosecution. The matter was then postponed to Friday June 4, 2021, for the extradition hearing to start.
“During the proceedings the defence argued that the witnesses who would testify against the Bushiris in South Africa should travel to Malawi to give evidence during the extradition proceedings.
“The magistrate’s court ruled in favour of the defence that the witnesses should travel to Malawi. The DPP in Malawi advised the department that they are of the view that the magistrate’s court misdirected itself as regards what amounts to a preliminary inquiry, and that Section 9 of the Extradition Act of Malawi never envisaged physical presence of witnesses in court during an extradition hearing.
“The office of the DPP in Malawi filed a review application to review and set aside the magistrate court’s ruling. The review application was heard on July 21, 2021, and judgment is expected soon,” said Lamola.
By Dr Takavafira Zhou| Today is pay day for teachers – a day of agony and anguish among teachers in Zimbabwe. On such a day Ptuz leaders are inundated by teachers’ voices calling for Union action in order to get a living wage. But unless we analyse our weaknesses and strengths, the trajectory of mourning starvation wages will continue. As much as Ptuz deplores and denounces gvt’s lackadaisical approach in addressing teachers’ legitimate demands of the restoration of their purchasing power parity of salaries pegged at US$520-US$550, it is prudent for teachers to fight for their status restoration. The days of divine intervention are over, and teachers must define and defend an alternative way forward that can lift them from grass to grace.
Those that cant swim across a narrow river cannot suddenly find energy to swim across the ocean. If teachers are serious we must see such seriousness by following the current Ptuz modus operandi in toto. Teachers suggested a minimum of a day and maximum of two days work and Monday and Tuesday as alternative working days. Other teacher unions also suggested alternative way forward. Until there are no teachers in schools on Wednesday to Friday it would be difficult to listen to any mouths opening or whatsApp bravado currently pushing leaders for what is termed “total shut down.”
Teachers are their own liberators. Even slaves fought for their emancipation. When real poverty (ngwavaira teteguru venhamo) sinks deep among teachers, we will unite and deliver a coup degrade (final blow) against poverty and penury. None but teachers can change the current parlous state in the education system. Our concerted and unflinching pressure on the arrogant employer, PSC, would force the employer to concede to our legitimate demands and check commandist unilateralism epitomised by the so called ‘no work no pay’ when in reality teachers are incapacitated, let alone burdensome CALA and forced invigilation of public examination when teachers have no contract with Zimsec. The passivity and complicity of some teachers to the current starvation wages in Zimbabwe may certainly deserve a special case study as it baffles logic and common sense.
As Ptuz, we remain ready to lead, but only when we have enough brave teachers ready to liberate themselves, and not cry babies. We cannot continue to agonise and expect a miracle to improve our plight. But if we organise and unite across the union divide, we will emerge victorious. We are everything, yet we count for nothing. We either have to unite as sisters and brothers and fight a liberative struggle, or perish as fools. Teachers must walk their talk and talk their walk. Waiting on the touchline to watch a game you should be playing, and expect positive results has no traction. Let’s be part of the solution and not part of the problem.
The increase in the number of drug and substance abuse-related mental disorders has become a cause for concern, with local centres recording a spike in the number of youths admitted due to substance abuse.
Excessive drug and substance abuse is having a detrimental impact on mental health, especially among youths, with one of the country’s psychiatric units recording a spike in admissions of young people battling substance use disorders.
The majority of the patients we have been admitting here at Annex lately are due to substance use disorder. Traditional the most abused substances are alcohol and cannabis but lately, there has been an increase in people that use crystal meth, mutoriro and cocaine, said Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals Consultant Psychiatrist Dr Fungi Mazhandu.
Clinical Psychologist Tarisai Bere also highlighted that people who use substances in excess end up suffering from mentally related illnesses.
People who have substance use in excess end up with drug and substance abuse disorders. A lot of young people even here at annex have been admitted on such cases and especially during lockdown we do have a lot of cases compared to other years, said Bere
Meanwhile, calls have been made for more awareness around issues of mental health and the effects of drugs.
To curb rampant substance abuse among youths, the government launched a multi-disciplinary and sectoral approach that will intensify prevention, treatment, rehabilitation and eliminate the supply and availability of illicit substances and drugs, among others.
A 12-year-old boy from Chinotimba Township in Victoria Falls is set for stardom after a video of him singing at a funeral went viral on Tiktok resulting in one South African musician inviting him for a collaboration.
Andrea Sibanda, a Grade 7 pupil at Chinotimba Primary School performed a very emotional song called Endleleni at a funeral and the video found its way to short-form video platform, Tiktok where the original post gained more than 1,5 million views within a short period of time.
A South African artist Aubrey Ngwane recently recorded a rendition of the song and has already gained more than 2 million views on the short-form video platform.
However, fans of the song on the platform have been demanding to have the young Andria included in the song.
The Andleleni song is set to be recorded in the coming weeks, with plans to release it together with an official video by mid November 2021.
Zimbabwean born and SA-based artist manager and record label owner, Tendai Joe took it upon himself to search for Andria, after he reportedly learnt that the boy is from Zimbabwe.
“I could not help repeating the song over and over and when I saw people arguing that the boy must be either Zulu or Ndebele, I took it upon myself to search for him. The first person I approached was a friend, Plot Mhako, a well-known Zimbabwean blogger and entertainment plug. He made it possible for me to connect with the family.”
Tendai Joe says he had to first seek permission to work with Andrea Sibanda from his parents who stay in Chinotimba Township (Victoria Falls), since he is a minor.
Both Andrea’s father and mother gave blessings to Joe assisting Andria to record, release and distribute the song.
“We are looking at this song by Andrea as one of the potential top summer songs in South Africa. Many people relate to it and we will use our infrastructure and networks to ensure the projects gets the exposure it deserves, including radio and TV airplay,” added Joe.
Andria is the second born in a family of four children, with an older sister who is 18 and two siblings aged seven and five months respectively.
“We are excited that someone has noticed our son’s talent and reached out to us. We think this is a blessing from God and we will pray so that everything goes well,” Ntando Sibanda (Andrea ’s father)
“This is a good thing, we thank God. My child has a singing talent, we thank Mr Joe for reaching out and trying to help him. We hope everything goes well,” Sanelisiwe Ncube (Andrea’s mother)
Andria’s single will be recorded and released under JBross Entertainment, with 100% proceeds from all activities related to the project going towards Andrea’s upkeep, education and future interests.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores the ruling party; Zanu PF to desist from acts of violence against the opposition.
Today, October 20, 2021 Zanu PF youths clad in the party’s regalia tried to block opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s convoy in Nyanga, Manicaland province.
We are concerned over reports of an assassination attempt on the MDC Alliance leader in Manicaland on October 19, 2021.
Reports indicate that armed Zanu PF youths intercepted the opposition leader’s convoy and fired gunshots at his vehicle.
The incident follows another attack against the opposition leader by alleged Zanu PF activists in Masvingo Province on October 11, 2021.
On the same day (October 11, 2021), Chamisa and his team were teargased by riot police while they were holding a private meeting in Masvingo town.
The continued clampdown on the opposition goes against the ideals of a democratic society.
Of major concern is the fact that the state media and state security institutions are aiding the clampdown on the opposition and this has raised fears of yet another bloody election in 2023.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores state security institutions to desist from partisan politics.
In our capacity as an umbrella body of civil society organisations operating in Zimbabwe, we implore law enforcement agents to investigate the incidences of violence and bring perpetrators to book.
Allowing Zanu PF activists to operate above the law can only serve to further shrink the democratic space and fuel rights violations against opposition supporters.
ONE of the largest apostolic sects with membership across the southern African region has applied for official affiliate status with Zanu PF and in return, the sect leaders would rally their followers to vote for the ruling party.
The sect said the ruling party had listed opposition to homosexuality and same sex marriages as one of the main requirements for collaboration.
Zimbabwe criminalises same-sex relations, but the Constitution guarantees rights such as equality and non-discrimination.
Zanu PF has, however, listed resolute opposition to homosexuality and same sex marriages in response to the request by the leadership of the apostolic congregation, Johane Masowe WechiShanu WeAfrica.
This followed a meeting that Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa held with the church’s leader, Bishop Andby Makururu on September 2.
Makururu was accompanied by 37 members drawn from the district and provincial leadership ranks, including members of the 250-large “prophetic council”.
“The meeting explored modalities for collaboration between the church and Zanu PF, especially in the area of economic empowerment, agriculture, mining, touring etc … They applied for affiliate status with Zanu PF and I briefed them on the requirements,” Chinamasa revealed in a series of tweets. – NewsDay
By A Correspondent| Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume has announced that he is under investigation from the police over his Ecocash line which they allege moved US$1400 over three years for black market purposes.
Ngarivhume did not shed much detail on how he got to know about his alleged crime and whether the police have opened a docket against him.
“The CID has come alive. They are investigating me for an ecocash line they say moved 1400 USD over 3 years possibly for black market purposes,” said Ngarivhume.
He added that;
“I have been summoned by senior CID detectives in Harare. They are trying to link me to a case in which they are alleging that our organization Prayer Network Zimbabwe, borrowed agent lines from Pendock in 2015 and used the same lines to receive a total of 142 000 Rtgs from 2018 to Jan 2020. They are further alleging that the money translates to between 900 to 4000 US over the three years.
“It is their allegation against me that the money was potentially changed in black market and not the official government market. I am visiting the police in the presence of my lawyer Bhatasara on Monday.”
He has previously had a brush with the police after he organised protests against corruption last year under the banner of 31st July Movement.
Ngarivhume was later arrested and is currently in court charged with Inciting public violence.
Tinashe Sambiri|Namibia’s Popular Democratic Movement has described the assassination attempt on President Chamisa as unacceptable in the era of modern day politics.
President Chamisa escaped assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare.
Zanu PF is desperate to disrupt President Chamisa’s community engagement programme.
By A Corespondent- Medical doctors examining Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, yesterday failed to turn up in court to testify over her health condition.
Mubaiwa faces fraud charges after she was accused of attempting to obtain a marriage certificate at a time when Chiwenga was sick. She also faces money laundering and attempted murder charges.
Her doctors failed to turn up on Tuesday to ascertain her health condition for her trial to kick off. Mubaiwa is suffering from lymphoedema, but the State wanted her trial to continue despite protests from her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.
This marked the third time that her doctors avoided testifying in court.
Prosecutor Michael Reza told magistrate Lazini Ncube that he called the doctor, but someone answered the phone and advised him that the doctor was in the theatre.
Reza said when he called again, the phone was not answered.
Mtetwa had warned the court her client’s doctors were living in fear of their boss, Chiwenga who is also Health minister.
Reza and Mtetwa then agreed that a clinical director at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals will provide a doctor who specialises in mental health to examine Mubaiwa before the trial.
The matter was postponed to November 10 for the medical specialists to testify.
Supreme Court judge Justice George Chiweshe, a retired soldier and former chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who is now a High Court judge, are the witnesses in the matter.
By A Correspondent| MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora has today met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Professor Alena Douhan.
This is despite the government releasing a schedule for Douhan constituted of government officials only.
The opposition and civil society have also raised concern over the schedule which they said will only give her a one sided story.
Posting on Facebook, MDC-T said;
‘Today, President Douglas Mwonzora and his team met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Prof Alena Douhan and her team. The MDC-T gave its detailed input into the effects of sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans.”
Mwonzora and DouhanMwonzora and Komichi during the meeting
The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC) this week arrested a Church of England Priest.
The Anglican Diocese of Manicaland bishop, Eric Ruwona, members of the church’s standing committee, and four principals were arrested for collecting unsanctioned levies from their schools.
Bishop Ruwona (51), Walter Majoni (35), Daphine Mudarikwa (45), Danisa Muchichwa (40), and Promise Kunyongana (30), who constitute the church’s standing committee, were on Wednesday jointly hauled before Mutare magistrate, Ms Prisca Manhibi, facing charges of contravening Section 21(1) (a) (b) of the Education Act, Chapter 25:04.
They were each granted $60 000 bail, and ordered to report once every Friday at CID Mutare, and not to interfere with State witnesses.
Allegations were that in May, the church’s standing committee ordered principals at St Augustine’s, St Mathias Tsonzo, St Faith’s, St David’s Bonda and St Mary’s Magadalene to collect unapproved mission funds from pupils intending to enrol at these schools.
Mutare District Area public prosecutor, Mr Tirivanhu Mutyasira said the suspects resolved that parents, and guardians of pupils were to pay a pre-conditional mission fund of US$500 for Form One, and US$900 for Form Five pupils before they could be enrolled in the Anglican Diocese schools.
The court heard that there was no option of payment plan for the mission funds as it was supposed to be paid once-off.
“Those without the required amounts would not secure the places,” said Mr Mutyasira.
As a result, the court heard, the parents and guardians were forced to pay US$276 250 at the five schools as mission funds. The respective school principals were also dragged to court for demanding and collecting the mission funds.
St David’s Bonda Girls’ and St Mathias Tsonzo high schools principals — Tafadzwa Matanhire (30) and Loveshaw Mupondi (27) — appeared separately before Mutare provincial magistrate, Mr Langton Mukwengi, facing extortion charges over the mission funds.
They were granted $40 000 bail each with reporting conditions.
Apart from reporting once every Friday at CID Mutare, the principals were told not to interfere with the parents and guardians of pupils who were allegedly arm-twisted to pay the levies.
St Mary’s Magadalene principal, Bazel Matikiti (53), and St Faith’s Daniso Muchichwa (40) appeared before Ms Manhibi over the same case.
They were also granted $40 000 bail each.
“The complainant is the State represented by Manicaland Provincial Education Director, Mr Edward Shumba. The Anglican schools are registered in terms of the Education Act and Section 21 of the same Act, Chapter 25:04 which governs the fees and levies payable at non-Government schools.
“St David’s Bonda is a school registered in terms of the Education Act, and Section 21 of the same Act, Chapter 25:04 governs the fees and levies payable at non-Government schools,” said Mr Mutyasira.
It is alleged that sometime in May, Mr Shumba received a report that the accused persons were collecting unapproved mission fund from pupils intending to enrol at their schools.
The pupils were selected on the online platform for Form One places which is managed and operated by the Ministry of Primary and Secondary Education.
Sometime in February, the Responsible Authority allegedly exerted pressure on parents and guardians to pay a pre-conditional mission fund of US$500 with no option of paying in local currency (RTGS) for Form One enrolment to the Anglican Diocese before they could be formally enrolled at the schools.
Form Five pupils were ordered to pay US$900. The court heard that the suspects had no right to charge pupils mission funds as it had not been approved by the Ministry, thereby contravening Section 21(1) (a) (b) of the Education Act Chapter 25:04.
The cases will go for trial on November 4, and the State is in possession of receipts which were issued to the parents after paying the unauthorised mission funds.
Those who paid the pre-conditional mission funds were duly given offer letters which will be produced in court as well as evidence. Manica Post
IN a dramatic incident which left villagers in Village1 Dawlish area in Chiredzi North shocked, a man dumped his six-month pregnant wife at her alleged lover’s house after he caught them having sex in his matrimonial bedroom.
The wife’s lover also happens to be his best friend!
Pregnant woman
Joel Malaya Muchacha decided to take the weird action after he found his wife Trinity Makumucha (30) in bed with Kennias Musakona (41).
This was also after Musakona refused to pay him eight beasts which he had demanded as compensation for bedding his wife.
It is reported that Muchacha, who was working in Chikombedzi, came back after he reportedly heard rumours of his wife’s affair with Musakona and decided to take action.
When he came back, and after staying for a week, Muchacha told his pregnant wife that he had decided to go to South Africa. On the day he claimed he was going to South Africa Muchacha went to a relative’s house to stay while spying on his wife’s movements.
His suspicions were confirmed on that very day as his wife invited her lover (Musakona) to their house for their usual lovemaking sessions.
Muchacha, who had given the two lovebirds a little time before coming out of his hideout, walked stealthily into his matrimonial bedroom. When he stormed into the bedroom, he couldn’t believe his eyes when he found his pregnant wife in the act with Musakona, said a source who requested anonymity.
As evidence that he had caught them in bed, Muchacha reportedly took Musakona‘s clothes and two packs of condoms, which Musakona had brought for a supposedly all-night sex gala.
After being busted, Makumucha confessed to her husband that it was not their first time to have sex as Musakona was always coming to their house for sleep-overs during his absence.
“She even showed him some of the used condoms which she was hiding in the house and other unused ones that they were keeping at an anthill near Chiredzi River where they would meet for their usual sex sessions,” added the source.
After his wife’s chilling confession, Muchacha took the matter to community leaders where he demanded eight beasts from Musakona as compensation for bedding his wife.
Musakona, however, refused to pay the beasts, prompting Muchacha to dump his wife at her lover’s place.
Although the parties involved were not reached for comment as their mobile phones were not reachable, Dawlish area chairman Emadeous Zingwanda confirmed the incident.
“It’s true that the incident of that nature happened in our area. When the matter came to us as community leaders, we felt that eight beasts which Muchacha was demanding were too much and we instructed him to reduce the number.
We can only be able to assist them if they amicably reach an agreement on the number of beasts which Musakona should pay,” said Zingwanda.- B Metro
Douglas Mwonzora who exactly 2 years ago once said there are no sanctions, was the first to meet the visiting sanctions rapporteur Alena Douhan in Harare.
His party in a brief statement indicated Mwonzora is now a sanctions activist.
Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.
On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.
Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.
MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.
He shared our message of hope to the people.
Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups & citizens. He shared our message of hope to the people. Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunity for all. #CitizensConvergenceForChangepic.twitter.com/F1ZfeFBkmh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
Tinashe Sambiri|Namibia’s Popular Democratic Movement has described the assassination attempt on President Chamisa as unacceptable in the era of modern day politics.
President Chamisa escaped assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare.
Zanu PF is desperate to disrupt President Chamisa’s community engagement programme.
MASVINGO – Riot Police had to be called in at Mashoko Mission High School on Thursday morning after students demonstrated and destroyed property including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle.
They destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get full briefing.
The students are angry after the school allegedly failed to supply them with electricity for the past seven days because there is no diesel for the generator.
The students also complained that there has been no running water in the school for several weeks.
The students have also not had tea for sometime, said sources Staff turnover is high and the head is rarely in the school and the allegations are that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9am and only stopped after the intervention of riot Police subsided at lunch time.
Masvingo Police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
“The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
“The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole,” said a parent.
Another parent alleged that the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Nyahunda is the one who supplies vegetables to the school.
Nyahunda’s mobile phone could not be reached for a comment.- Masvingo Mirror
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners launched the first ever global strategy to defeat meningitis – a debilitating disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year.
By 2030, the goals are to eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis – the most deadly form of the disease – and to reduce deaths by 70% and halve the number of cases. The organizations estimate that in total, the strategy could save more than 200,000 lives annually and significantly reduce disability caused by the disease.
This strategy, the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, was launched by a broad coalition of partners involved in meningitis prevention and control at a virtual event, hosted by WHO in Geneva. Its focus is on preventing infections and improving care and diagnosis for those affected.
“Wherever it occurs, meningitis can be deadly and debilitating; it strikes quickly, has serious health, economic and social consequences, and causes devastating outbreaks,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It is time to tackle meningitis globally once and for all –by urgently expanding access to existing tools like vaccines, spearheading new research and innovation to prevent, detecting and treating the various causes of the disease, and improving rehabilitation for those affected.”
Meningitis is a dangerous inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, predominantly caused by infection with bacteria and viruses.
Meningitis that is caused by bacterial infection tends to be the most serious – leading to around 250,000 deaths a year – and can cause fast-spreading epidemics. It kills 1 in 10 of those infected – mostly children and young people – and leaves 1 in 5 with long-lasting disability, such as seizures, hearing and vision loss, neurological damage, and cognitive impairment.
Over the last ten years, meningitis epidemics have occurred in all regions of the world, though most commonly in the ‘Meningitis Belt,’ which spans 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. These epidemics are unpredictable, can severely disrupt health systems, and create poverty – generating catastrophic expenditures for households and communities.
“More than half a billion Africans are at risk of seasonal meningitis outbreaks but the disease has been off the radar for too long,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“This shift away from firefighting outbreaks to strategic response can’t come soon enough. This roadmap will help protect the health and lives of hundreds of thousands of families who every year fear this disease.”
Several vaccines protect against meningitis, including meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal vaccines. However, not all communities have access to these lifesaving vaccines, and many countries are yet to introduce them into their national programmes.
While research is underway to develop vaccines for other causes of meningitis, such as Group B Strep bacteria, there remains an urgent need for innovation, funding and research to develop more meningitis-preventive vaccines. Efforts are also needed to strengthen early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for all those who need it after contracting the disease.
“This roadmap is the embodiment of the ambition of people and families affected around the world who have called for its creation.
It’s their experience and passion that has driven a whole community of interest to get this far,” said Vinny Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), an international membership organization of patient advocacy groups for meningitis. “We celebrate together the common goal of defeating meningitis and will be led by their inspiration to make it happen.”
The new Roadmap details the following priorities for meningitis response and prevention:
Achievement of high immunization coverage, development of new affordable vaccines, and improved prevention strategies and outbreak response; Speedy diagnosis and optimal treatment for patients; Good data to guide prevention and control efforts; Care and support for those affected, focusing on early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects, and Advocacy and engagement, to ensure high awareness of meningitis, accountability for national plans, and affirmation of the right to prevention, care and after-care services. WHO and partners are providing support to countries to implement the Roadmap, including through the development of regional and national frameworks that will help countries achieve its ambitious goals.
Partner quotes
“The Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis demonstrates what can be accomplished when a global need is met with global action,” said Nikolaj Gilbert, President and CEO of PATH. “Progress against meningitis has lagged for too long; by working together, we can overcome the disease that has cost so many lives in countries around the world. PATH is proud to have been a part of the roadmap’s development and is committed to advancing affordable and equitable vaccine solutions to defeat meningitis.”
“We must be united in our efforts to end all preventable childhood diseases, including bacterial meningitis,” said Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, Director of Health Programmes at UNICEF. “UNICEF has been supporting governments for decades, facilitating the delivery of life-saving meningitis vaccines. Still, far too many children are succumbing to this and other preventable diseases – and the situation is only worsening as a result of the pandemic.
We need to act decisively to strengthen primary health care and get routine immunization back on track, before more children face adverse health outcomes – or loss of life – inflicted by meningitis and other preventable infectious diseases.”
“Although the main burden of meningitis is in poor countries, acute bacterial meningitis is a global problem with no country being spared its devastating impact,” said Professor Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and co-chair of the Task Force supporting the implementation of the roadmap. “Thus, containing this serious group of infections needs a global response. This is what the roadmap sets out to achieve, bringing together – under the umbrella of WHO – health professionals from across the world to bring this condition under control by 2030.”
“The Meningitis Roadmap provides a clear blueprint for defeating this devastating disease,” said Professor Robert Heyderman, Head of the Research Department of Infection at University College London. “Crucially it identifies the gaps in our knowledge and the tools required. To achieve the Road Map’s ambitious goals, a team approach will bring together countries, global policymakers, civil society, funders, researchers, public health specialists, healthcare workers and industry to generate and implement innovative new strategies.
By a Correspondent- Armed robbers on Thursday pounced on the gospel musician Kudzaishe Nyakudya and got away with cash and other valuables.
Nyakudya was robbed while dropping off a friend in Marlborough, Harare.
Police confirmed the incident, which they said took place around 5 PM on Thursday at Corner Elizabeth Windsor and Newstead Rd in Marlborough. ZRP said:
The Zimbabwe Republic Police is investigating circumstances surrounding an armed robbery case involving Zimbabwe Gospel musician, Kudzaishe Nyakudya (35), which occurred at Corner Elizabeth Windsor and Newstead Rd, Marlborough, Harare on 21/10/21 at about 1700 hrs. The victim was driving in a Toyota Wish motor vehicle from Harare CBD along Elizabeth Windsor Rd. When he stopped to drop his friend, he was suddenly blocked by three (3) unknown male adults who were driving in a white Mercedes Benz E300 motor vehicle reg number ADF2867. The suspects who were armed with unidentified pistols assaulted & robbed the victim’s friend of an undisclosed amount of money. Thereafter, they kidnapped & took the victim to a certain place where they assaulted him & robbed him of his cash & valuables before dumping him.
In a related development, police in Lupane are appealing for information that may lead to the arrest of Mlungisi Moyo and Lungani Moyo of Lupane who are wanted in a case of robbery which occurred at Gomoza Business Centre, Lupane on Tuesday this week. Police said the suspects approached the victim, Simisilwe Ncube (41), who was offloading groceries for his shop, attacked him with a stone and robbed him of his ZAR10 000.00 and fled to an unknown destination. Anyone with information to contact the National Complaints Desk on (0242) 703631, WhatsApp 0712 800 197 or Mat North Ops on (0281) 35011
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa’s house has reportedly been bombed by unknown assailants.
Information we are receiving from Zanu PF insiders which has also been posted by journalist-cum-politician Jealous Mawarire, on his Twitter account, is that Chinamasa’s house had been set on fire.
Mawarire has also posted a short video of the alleged burning of Chinamasa house.
” Getting reports that Chinamasa’s house caught fire, allegedly from a explosion this afternoon. Pakaipa,” posted Mawarire.
Getting reports that Chinamasa's house caught fire, allegedly from a ? explosion this afternoon. Pakaipa! pic.twitter.com/AHKGLpL7cz
By A Correspondent- The government, through the ministry of health and child care, Friday dismissed Nashville High school covid-19 outbreak reports.
On Thursday, there were reports of the pandemic outbreak at the Gweru based secondary school. Some parents confirmed these reports claiming that there were children who had tested positive for covid-19.
In a statement Friday, the Ministry of Health said the reports were not true:
The Ministry of Health and Child Care wishes to inform parents and all concerned stakeholders that there are no cases of COVID-19 at Nashville High School in Gweru.
Investigations conducted at the school today by the Provincial COVID-19 Rapid Response Team led by the Provincial Medical Director have indicated that there are 16 cases of mild flu among the school children who are all boarders.
The school has 192 boarders, 628 day scholars and 38 teachers. All the boarders have been tested for COVID-19 and are all negative.
The 38 teachers were also tested for COVID19 and were also negative. Testing for day scholars is in progress.
The Ministry of Health and Child Care has followed up by telephoning three (3) parents who had taken their children home during the week. None of the parents has reported any of the children as COVID-19 positive.
The pictures that are circulating on social media are those of seven (7) male learners who took pictures of each other basking in the sun while waiting to be taken to Totonga Clinic after they had complained of flu-like symptoms a day ago.
All seven (7) boys were seen at Totonga Clinic and treated for mild respiratory tract infections. The seven (7) are also part of the 192 students seen and tested for COVID-19 today and are negative.
All parents with children at the school are advised to remain calm. The public is being discouraged from circulating unverified reports through social media as they can cause despondency and panic.
In the event that there is an outbreak of COVID-19 at any school, parents are advised not to withdraw their children from the school as this promotes the spread of the infection. Children are isolated or quarantined and treated at the school at no cost to the parents.
As usual, it is important that we continue practising recommended behaviours for the prevention of COVID-19 which include masking up, washing hands with soap and water or sanitizing, not touching the mouth, nose and eyes and avoiding crowds.
Any suspected cases should be reported to the nearest health facility.
By A Correspondent- Medical doctors examining Vice-President Constantino Chiwenga’s estranged wife, Marry Mubaiwa, yesterday failed to turn up in court to testify over her health condition.
Mubaiwa faces fraud charges after she was accused of attempting to obtain a marriage certificate at a time when Chiwenga was sick. She also faces money laundering and attempted murder charges.
Her doctors failed to turn up on Tuesday to ascertain her health condition for her trial to kick off. Mubaiwa is suffering from lymphoedema, but the State wanted her trial to continue despite protests from her lawyer, Beatrice Mtetwa.
This marked the third time that her doctors avoided testifying in court.
Prosecutor Michael Reza told magistrate Lazini Ncube that he called the doctor, but someone answered the phone and advised him that the doctor was in the theatre.
Reza said when he called again, the phone was not answered.
Mtetwa had warned the court her client’s doctors were living in fear of their boss, Chiwenga who is also Health minister.
Reza and Mtetwa then agreed that a clinical director at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals will provide a doctor who specialises in mental health to examine Mubaiwa before the trial.
The matter was postponed to November 10 for the medical specialists to testify.
Supreme Court judge Justice George Chiweshe, a retired soldier and former chief magistrate Munamato Mutevedzi, who is now a High Court judge, are the witnesses in the matter.
By a Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa has concluded his Manicaland provincial meet the people tour.
Chamisa invaded Manicaland early this week.
During the tour, Chamisa missed death by a whisker after suspected Zanu PF supporters fired a live bullet on his car.
He was also blocked by Zanu PF supporters in Nyanga where he wanted to meet with his supporters.
Announcing the end of the opposition leader’s Manicaland tour on his Twitter handle Friday, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba said MDC-Alliance will defeat Zanu PF in 2023.
Posted Siziba:
Manicaland! Thank you for embracing the democratic movement. Fellow countrymen President
By a Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President Nelson Chamisa thanked the people of Manicaland for attending his meet the people meetings in their numbers.
Chamisa invaded Manicaland early this week and concluded our Friday.
During the tour, Chamisa missed death by a whisker after suspected Zanu PF supporters fired a live bullet on his car.
He was also blocked by Zanu PF supporters in Nyanga where he wanted to meet with his supporters.
Announcing the end of the opposition leader’s Manicaland tour on his Twitter handles Friday, the party’s deputy spokesperson, Ostallos Siziba said Chamisa was grateful to the people of Manicaland.
Posted Siziba:
Manicaland! Thank you for embracing the democratic movement. Fellow countrymen President
Former Warriors striker Tendai Ndoro is currently in Zimbabwe and training with Northern Region Division One side Simba Bhora.
Soccer24 reported yesterday that the former Orlando Pirates striker was not feeling well and recuperating in the town of Shamva.
It has emerged that he is training with Simba, who are based in the mining town, though its still not clear if the purpose of him doing so is to get or contract or regain fitness.
The lanky striker is related to the club’s owner, Simba Ndoro.
Ndoro was last active in club football when he was on the ranks of Highlands Park in South Africa, before his contract was terminated in May 2020.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Patson Daka scored four goals as Leicester City beat Spartak Moscow 4-3 in the Europa League.
The Zambian first hit the target on the stroke of halftime to start the comeback after the Foxes had gone two goals behind earlier in the first half.
He came back and netted his second in the 48th minute before completing his hat-trick six minutes later.
Daka got his fourth in the 78th minute to take City ahead in the match.
The goals come days after the striker opened his scoring account at the EPL club last weekend. He joined Leicester City in the pre-season from RB Salzburg.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
Today, the World Health Organization (WHO) and partners launched the first ever global strategy to defeat meningitis – a debilitating disease that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year.
By 2030, the goals are to eliminate epidemics of bacterial meningitis – the most deadly form of the disease – and to reduce deaths by 70% and halve the number of cases. The organizations estimate that in total, the strategy could save more than 200,000 lives annually and significantly reduce disability caused by the disease.
This strategy, the Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis by 2030, was launched by a broad coalition of partners involved in meningitis prevention and control at a virtual event, hosted by WHO in Geneva. Its focus is on preventing infections and improving care and diagnosis for those affected.
“Wherever it occurs, meningitis can be deadly and debilitating; it strikes quickly, has serious health, economic and social consequences, and causes devastating outbreaks,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “It is time to tackle meningitis globally once and for all –by urgently expanding access to existing tools like vaccines, spearheading new research and innovation to prevent, detecting and treating the various causes of the disease, and improving rehabilitation for those affected.”
Meningitis is a dangerous inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord, predominantly caused by infection with bacteria and viruses.
Meningitis that is caused by bacterial infection tends to be the most serious – leading to around 250,000 deaths a year – and can cause fast-spreading epidemics. It kills 1 in 10 of those infected – mostly children and young people – and leaves 1 in 5 with long-lasting disability, such as seizures, hearing and vision loss, neurological damage, and cognitive impairment.
Over the last ten years, meningitis epidemics have occurred in all regions of the world, though most commonly in the ‘Meningitis Belt,’ which spans 26 countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. These epidemics are unpredictable, can severely disrupt health systems, and create poverty – generating catastrophic expenditures for households and communities.
“More than half a billion Africans are at risk of seasonal meningitis outbreaks but the disease has been off the radar for too long,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa.
“This shift away from firefighting outbreaks to strategic response can’t come soon enough. This roadmap will help protect the health and lives of hundreds of thousands of families who every year fear this disease.”
Several vaccines protect against meningitis, including meningococcal, Haemophilus influenzae type b and pneumococcal vaccines. However, not all communities have access to these lifesaving vaccines, and many countries are yet to introduce them into their national programmes.
While research is underway to develop vaccines for other causes of meningitis, such as Group B Strep bacteria, there remains an urgent need for innovation, funding and research to develop more meningitis-preventive vaccines. Efforts are also needed to strengthen early diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation for all those who need it after contracting the disease.
“This roadmap is the embodiment of the ambition of people and families affected around the world who have called for its creation.
It’s their experience and passion that has driven a whole community of interest to get this far,” said Vinny Smith, Chief Executive Officer of the Meningitis Research Foundation and the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO), an international membership organization of patient advocacy groups for meningitis. “We celebrate together the common goal of defeating meningitis and will be led by their inspiration to make it happen.”
The new Roadmap details the following priorities for meningitis response and prevention:
Achievement of high immunization coverage, development of new affordable vaccines, and improved prevention strategies and outbreak response; Speedy diagnosis and optimal treatment for patients; Good data to guide prevention and control efforts; Care and support for those affected, focusing on early recognition and improved access to care and support for after-effects, and Advocacy and engagement, to ensure high awareness of meningitis, accountability for national plans, and affirmation of the right to prevention, care and after-care services. WHO and partners are providing support to countries to implement the Roadmap, including through the development of regional and national frameworks that will help countries achieve its ambitious goals.
Partner quotes
“The Global Roadmap to Defeat Meningitis demonstrates what can be accomplished when a global need is met with global action,” said Nikolaj Gilbert, President and CEO of PATH. “Progress against meningitis has lagged for too long; by working together, we can overcome the disease that has cost so many lives in countries around the world. PATH is proud to have been a part of the roadmap’s development and is committed to advancing affordable and equitable vaccine solutions to defeat meningitis.”
“We must be united in our efforts to end all preventable childhood diseases, including bacterial meningitis,” said Dr. Aboubacar Kampo, Director of Health Programmes at UNICEF. “UNICEF has been supporting governments for decades, facilitating the delivery of life-saving meningitis vaccines. Still, far too many children are succumbing to this and other preventable diseases – and the situation is only worsening as a result of the pandemic.
We need to act decisively to strengthen primary health care and get routine immunization back on track, before more children face adverse health outcomes – or loss of life – inflicted by meningitis and other preventable infectious diseases.”
“Although the main burden of meningitis is in poor countries, acute bacterial meningitis is a global problem with no country being spared its devastating impact,” said Professor Sir Brian Greenwood, Professor of Clinical Tropical Medicine at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and co-chair of the Task Force supporting the implementation of the roadmap. “Thus, containing this serious group of infections needs a global response. This is what the roadmap sets out to achieve, bringing together – under the umbrella of WHO – health professionals from across the world to bring this condition under control by 2030.”
“The Meningitis Roadmap provides a clear blueprint for defeating this devastating disease,” said Professor Robert Heyderman, Head of the Research Department of Infection at University College London. “Crucially it identifies the gaps in our knowledge and the tools required. To achieve the Road Map’s ambitious goals, a team approach will bring together countries, global policymakers, civil society, funders, researchers, public health specialists, healthcare workers and industry to generate and implement innovative new strategies.
MASVINGO – Riot Police had to be called in at Mashoko Mission High School on Thursday morning after students demonstrated and destroyed property including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle.
They destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get full briefing.
The students are angry after the school allegedly failed to supply them with electricity for the past seven days because there is no diesel for the generator.
The students also complained that there has been no running water in the school for several weeks.
The students have also not had tea for sometime, said sources Staff turnover is high and the head is rarely in the school and the allegations are that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9am and only stopped after the intervention of riot Police subsided at lunch time.
Masvingo Police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter.
Efforts to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
“The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
“The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole,” said a parent.
Another parent alleged that the School Development Committee (SDC) chairperson Nyahunda is the one who supplies vegetables to the school.
Nyahunda’s mobile phone could not be reached for a comment.- Masvingo Mirror
Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.
On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.
Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.
MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.
He shared our message of hope to the people.
Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups & citizens. He shared our message of hope to the people. Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunity for all. #CitizensConvergenceForChangepic.twitter.com/F1ZfeFBkmh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
Tinashe Sambiri|Despite relentless efforts by the Zanu PF regime to block President Nelson Chamisa’s programmes, the MDC Alliance leader is simply unstoppable.
On Thursday he addressed community leaders and women’s groups in Makoni area, Manicaland.
Zanu PF agents are desperate to block his community engagement programme.
MDC Alliance posted on Twitter:
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups and citizens.
He shared our message of hope to the people.
Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunities for all.
The People’s President, Adv @nelsonchamisa was well-received in Makoni where he met community leaders, women’s groups & citizens. He shared our message of hope to the people. Under an MDCA Govt, we will ensure freedom, jobs & opportunity for all. #CitizensConvergenceForChangepic.twitter.com/F1ZfeFBkmh
— Citizens' Coalition for Change (@CCCZimbabwe) October 21, 2021
By A Correspondent- A lion is suspected to have devoured a Gache Gache woman who has been missing since last Friday after only half her body was found.
The woman left Gache Gache village for the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme about 12 kilometres away. She reportedly left the irrigation scheme for the village on Friday last week intending to return on the same day.
Gache Gache Ward 8 Councillor Kudzanayi Makanyaire confirmed the incident which has left the community shocked.
“Information at hand is that the woman visited the village on Friday and left later that day to return to the Mudzimu Irrigation Scheme,” said Cllr Makanyaire.
“When she left, she had a torch and was riding a bicycle. However, she did not reach the village as expected by her husband.”
The husband then phoned the village enquiring about his wife only to be told that she had left for the irrigation scheme. A search ensued on both sides.
She was only found yesterday with the lower torso devoured about 600 metres from the irrigation scheme. The matter has been reported to Kariba police who were expected to attend the scene.
“We phoned the police and we were told that we should not move the body until they arrive to carry out investigations from Kariba,” said a villager.
This is Sandile Mabuza; a student of KaSchiele High School who was been shot and killed by trigger happy police in the country on Wednesday; 22 October 2021. Rest In Power young lion ? #EswatiniProtests#Eswatinipic.twitter.com/GAU2xzEtWe
— Economic Freedom Fighters of Swaziland (@EFFSwazi) October 22, 2021
By A Correspondent- A Transport Officer with Zimbabwe Schools Examinations Council (ZIMSEC) reportedly committed suicide after he was involved in an accident with a company car.
Jaspa Mutambirwa, took his own life whilst in his Hatfield house on Monday afternoon for reasons not known.
It is reported that he had an accident over the weekend with the company car which was not authorised.
He was in the company of his friend who is admitted at a local hospital.
The accident case has since been reported at Hatfield Police Station under CR 71 /10/21 for accident.
He had an accident with a Zupco Bus near Glow Service Station at Chan’s Shops along Chiremba Road.
His wife confirmed the death but with less details.
“I am really surprised, greatly shocked and the man was free and open to me.
“I am in panic mode right now, I don’t know what caused this suicide,” she said.
Efforts to get comments from the Zimsec Public Relations department boss, Nicky Dhlamini, were fruitless as her mobile number was not answered.
While her superiors in the Transport department were also not picking their phones.
A workmate said:
“The reasons for his suicide are not clear and but on a sad note he had an accident with company car.
“It is reported that the background of the story is that he had a pending case of another accident which was marred with controversy as he had given it to someone who then gave it to someone.
“In the process he reported that the car had been stolen and it is also suspected that the car hit a pedestrian while it was not in his possession.
“Circumstances are that the said person had no authority to drive the car,” he said the source.
Added the source:
“It is also believed those circumstances could have contributed to his death.
“Although such are reported to have caused his death, he had some marital problems but pressure is another force we believed resulted in him committing suicide,” said the source.
“On the day of accident, he had his close friend and workmate who is currently admitted at a local hospital.
“They work together.”
Another source said:
“His wife atumwa kuendesa zvazvichidiwa nepolice pertaining the accident and when she returned abva awana murume azvisungira,” said the source.
His workmate and friend Joseph Senior Bebhe could not comment on the matter further.
“I am in hospital baba had an accident,” he said.-HMetro
A 12-year-old boy from Chinotimba Township in Victoria Falls is set for stardom after a video of him singing at a funeral went viral on Tiktok resulting in one South African musician inviting him for a collaboration.
Andrea Sibanda, a Grade 7 pupil at Chinotimba Primary School performed a very emotional song called Endleleni at a funeral and the video found its way to short-form video platform, Tiktok where the original post gained more than 1,5 million views within a short period of time.
A South African artist Aubrey Ngwane recently recorded a rendition of the song and has already gained more than 2 million views on the short-form video platform.
However, fans of the song on the platform have been demanding to have the young Andria included in the song.
The Andleleni song is set to be recorded in the coming weeks, with plans to release it together with an official video by mid November 2021.
Zimbabwean born and SA-based artist manager and record label owner, Tendai Joe took it upon himself to search for Andria, after he reportedly learnt that the boy is from Zimbabwe.
“I could not help repeating the song over and over and when I saw people arguing that the boy must be either Zulu or Ndebele, I took it upon myself to search for him. The first person I approached was a friend, Plot Mhako, a well-known Zimbabwean blogger and entertainment plug. He made it possible for me to connect with the family.”
Tendai Joe says he had to first seek permission to work with Andrea Sibanda from his parents who stay in Chinotimba Township (Victoria Falls), since he is a minor.
Both Andrea’s father and mother gave blessings to Joe assisting Andria to record, release and distribute the song.
“We are looking at this song by Andrea as one of the potential top summer songs in South Africa. Many people relate to it and we will use our infrastructure and networks to ensure the projects gets the exposure it deserves, including radio and TV airplay,” added Joe.
Andria is the second born in a family of four children, with an older sister who is 18 and two siblings aged seven and five months respectively.
“We are excited that someone has noticed our son’s talent and reached out to us. We think this is a blessing from God and we will pray so that everything goes well,” Ntando Sibanda (Andrea ’s father)
“This is a good thing, we thank God. My child has a singing talent, we thank Mr Joe for reaching out and trying to help him. We hope everything goes well,” Sanelisiwe Ncube (Andrea’s mother)
Andria’s single will be recorded and released under JBross Entertainment, with 100% proceeds from all activities related to the project going towards Andrea’s upkeep, education and future interests.
Tinashe Sambiri|Namibia’s Popular Democratic Movement has described the assassination attempt on President Chamisa as unacceptable in the era of modern day politics.
President Chamisa escaped assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare.
Zanu PF is desperate to disrupt President Chamisa’s community engagement programme.
By A Correspondent- A Waterfalls man who was masquerading as a soldier yesterday appeared in court to answer to impersonation and theft of trust property charges.
Lloyd Chinembiri, 30, was not asked to plead when he appeared before Harare magistrate Dennis Mangosi, who remanded him in custody to today to make his bail application.
The court heard that Chinembiri hatched a plan to steal the complainant’s phone, which had US$100 in the pouch.
Chinembiri, who was known as a municipal officer, asked the complainant to use his phone, disappeared with it and later failed to hand it over upon request.
On the second count, the State is alleging that Chinembiri boarded a motor vehicle with the complainant on the way to Mbudzi roundabout.
The complainant managed to identify Chinembiri and when they disembarked, he enforced a citizen arrest.
Chinembiri then produced a Zimbabwe National Army identification card claiming that he was a soldier stationed at the Tongogara Barracks.
However, investigations revealed that Chinembiri was not a soldier leading to his arrest.
By A Correspondent| MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora has today met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Professor Alena Douhan.
This is despite the government releasing a schedule for Douhan constituted of government officials only.
The opposition and civil society have also raised concern over the schedule which they said will only give her a one sided story.
Posting on Facebook, MDC-T said;
‘Today, President Douglas Mwonzora and his team met the United Nations Special Rapporteur Prof Alena Douhan and her team. The MDC-T gave its detailed input into the effects of sanctions on ordinary Zimbabweans.”
Mwonzora and DouhanMwonzora and Komichi during the meeting
By A Correspondent- The MDC Alliance says it does not trust that the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) will be objective in investigating the alleged attacks against party leader Nelson Chamisa by suspected ZANU PF activists in Masvingo and Manicaland provinces recently.
This comes after ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said MDC Alliance vice-president Lynette Karenyi-Kore filed a violence report on Tuesday night, but the party was no longer cooperating with the law enforcement agents deployed to investigate the claims. Said Nyathi:
They refused to allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to record witness statements from occupants of the alleged damaged vehicles, from the convoy and aides.
They also refused to go for indications at the scene or allow the vehicles involved to be examined by forensic scientists or ballistic experts who are currently in Mutare since October 21.
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said police were not objective in their dealings with the party since the political violence started. She said:
There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally.
The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective. They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims.
We saw what they did with the MDC trio (Joanah Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova) and several other victims of political violence and torture. We know their modus operandi.
She accused police of taking orders from ZANU PF “thugs” at roadblocks, shielding the perpetrators of violence.
By A Correspondent- Police suspects foul play after an eight-year old boy went missing in Mkoba in Gweru and his body was found nak_ed in a disused council swimming pool in the same area.
Tafara Nyoni went missing on Friday last week soon after coming back home from school and the matter was reported at Mkoba Police Station at around 6 pm. The boy was only found at around 8 am on Sunday by Edmore Mudamburi, a council guard at the swimming pool.
Gweru residents have blamed Police for delaying their searches for missing persons as one reason why abducted people are found dead. Tafara was found with scars on his left side and without clothes, a factor that raises suspicion of foul play.
Recently, Agness Mbakada, a Great Zimbabwe University student’s body was found dumped in Nyamafufu Dam in Mvuma after she went missing in Gweru six days earlier
Midlands Police spokesperson Inspector Emmanuel Mahoko confirmed the incident and said that investigations were underway.
“We think that the boy was murdered and his body thrown into the swimming pool”, said Henry Shava of Mkoba 6. The pool is fenced but the gate is always open, said residents.
Gweru City Council spokesperson Vimbai Chingwaramusee referred all questions to the Police.
Postmortem results are showing that the boy died due to massive blood clots and nose bleeding.
“We urge our Police officers to act swiftly in search of missing persons especially children,” said Shava.
Another resident Mavis Gumbo called upon Gweru City Council to improve security at non-functional swimming pools to avoid incidences of drowning.
There has been an increase in murder cases in the Midlands and Police are calling for spiritual intervention.
The opposition MDC Alliance has urged the police to act constitutionally following the recent orgy of violence targeted at its party leader Nelson Chamisa who is currently on a countrywide tour to meet party structures.
In a statement, the party spokesperson Fadzai Mahere said the police have an obligation to preserve the internal security of Zimbabwe as well as maintanance of law and order.
Mahere also expressed concern over the police claims that they were not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of Chamisa.
“In light of this constitutional imperative, the MDC Alliance is concerned with the political posturing by the Police service and the unfounded allegation that members of the MDC Alliance are not cooperating with police investigations into the attempted assassination of President Nelson Chamisa and political violence that took place on Monday 18 October 2021,” said Mahere.
“We wish to place on record the fact that a police report was made by our members led by Vice President Karenyi-Kore in the company of our Organizing Secretary Hon Chibaya our deputy Secretary General Hon Chimhini and Hon Mutseya.
“The report was recorded under RRB4124513. It was made in the presence of our lawyers,” added Mahere.
She expressed shock at remarks by Police Spokesperson Paul Nyathi that he was not aware that a report had been made saying his allegations were untrue.
The Harare City Council has approved the use of a digital mobile application in a bid to enhance service delivery reporting and monitoring for improved service provision in the City.
The initiative is a product of the City of Harare in partnership with the Combined Harare Residents Association.
The mobile application known as TauraHarare will allow Harare residents to report on issues of service delivery around their communities via WhatsApp, Sms and Facebook Messenger and automatically get responses instantly.
On the other hand, the application has provisions for residents to view their monthly statements, pay bills, report problems of service delivery and to view Covid 19 updates in Harare.
The objective of the mobile application is to improve responsiveness of the local authority, rates payment and improve communication between the local authority and residents.
Adoption of the TauraHarare mobile application comes at a time when the Government of Zimbabwe is encouraging the use of digital platforms in addressing service delivery issues and citizen engagement.
CHRA and City of Harare will embark on a public awareness drive to urge residents of Harare to download and make use of this Application, which has the potential to significantly address the communication challenges currently ensuing between residents and Council.
The Association will also seek partnership with like-minded CSOs to popularize the mobile application within their constituencies.
By A Correspondent- Amos Kariyati, an MDC T member has said his party is currently leaderless revealing that President Douglas Mwonzora is not the legitimate leader.
Kariyati speaks after MDC T youths led by legislator Yvonne Musarurwa stormed a press conference set to be addressed by Kudzanai Mashumba at the Media Centre in Harare Thursday and beat him up.
Mashumba had indicated that he wanted to expose Mwonzora’s looting of party funds.
At least 600 families in Dinde village, Hwange district, Matabeleland North Province, face imminent eviction from their ancestral homes to pave the way for a Chinese mining company.
The company, Baifer Investments, is currently exploring for coal in the Dinde areas.
Villagers said their relatives’ graves and sacred shrines were being destroyed, without being consulted.
This emerged at a rural women’s roundtable meeting held in Bulawayo on Monday this week.
The meeting was organised by the Matabeleland Institute For Human Rights (MIHR).
Thembelihle Dlamini, a villager in Dinde and a committee member of the Women’s Coalition of Zimbabwe said there was panic in Dinde Village as eviction was imminent.
“The company did not even consult us that they have intentions of coming to operate at our place. The company is now digging our graves. They should have asked for permission from us, probably we would have performed rituals on these cemeteries,” Dlamini said.
She said the Dinde village is living in fear as they stare eviction.
“We have built schools, clinics and as women we have our businesses that we have established there.
“As I am talking now, about 600 families or even more are affected. Recently, precious stones were discovered in about four villages in Hwange.
“All those communities will be evicted,” Dlamini said as she appealed to the government to save the community from eviction.
“We also have our river called Nyanduwe and there is gas that is emitted from their working place. It might affect our water and this would make us sick. We are faced with danger as we are prone to contract diseases in the area.”
Dinde is home to thousands of Nambyas and Tongas with a majority of the Tonga who first settled in the then named Whange district up to Victoria Falls.
They were resettled in Dinde after their relocation from Sinamatela area in the 1920s to pave way for the Hwange National Park.
MIHR coordinator Khumbulani Maphosa said the government must formulate a human rights based framework to prevent development induced evictions.
He said human rights constitutional bodies should be involved first whenever there is an eviction.
“Then they do the impact assessment. We trust these commissions better than these consultants hired by the companies because they are paid by the company. These commissions we trust because they are for us,” Maphosa said.
The Residents Coalition for Electoral Reforms a coalition of Residents Associations advocating for electoral and local governance reforms in Zimbabwe denounces the escalation of politically motivated violence in the country.
We condemn acts of political violence in the form of clampdown on the opposition that have been witnessed in areas that include Masvingo and Manicaland as well acts of intra-party violence being reported from different parts of the country.
The high level of political intolerance which has resulted in intra-party and interparty violence escalating ahead of the by-elections and the 2023 general elections is disturbing and unacceptable. We call for immediate intervention before the situation gets out of hand.
Politically motivated violence ahead of a general election has the potential to create another disputed election which will further plunge the nation into a serious political and economic crisis as witnessed in past elections.
Furthermore, a political environment characterized by violence is a deterrent for vulnerable groups such as women, youths, the elderly and people with disabilities to participate in electoral processes including standing for public offices in the upcoming elections.
We bemoan the lack of capacity among politicians and state institutions to embrace the principles of tolerance, democracy and constitutionalism.
Political intolerance has no place in a democracy.
We affirm that the supreme law of the land and in particular, Section 67(1) and (2) gives every citizen the right to form, to join and to participate in the activities of a political party or organisation of their choice, campaign freely and peacefully for a political party. Accordingly, all political parties should respect this constitutional principle.
We reiterate that criminalising diversity of political opinion and affiliation and labelling of fellow countrymen as enemies based on differences in political convictions is unconstitutional and counters development as it will further divide an already polarised citizenry.
While the constitution of Zimbabwe calls on traditional leaders to be apolitical and not to act in a partisan manner, the involvement of some traditional leaders in the matrix of politically motivated violence is worrying.
Traditional leaders must stay away from partisan politics and desist from perpetrating violence.
We call upon the security sector, the police in particular, to respect the fundamental rights and freedoms of citizens as enshrined in the Constitution.
Allowing hundreds of citizens to demonstrate while other groups and parties are not given the same privilege exposes the police and gives room for perceptions among citizens that the police force is furthering political interests and acting in a partisan manner which is against the dictates of the constitution.
We commend the action by leaders of special interest groups and associations who have demonstrated leadership by adding their voice in condemning political violence and media houses that have been exposing political violence without misinforming the public.
We therefore recommend the following;
1. Adherence to constitutionalism by political parties, police, pubic office holders and traditional leadership.
2. The police must investigate and arrest all perpetrators of the recent political violence that took place in Masvingo and Manicaland without fear or favour and without furthering the interests of politicians and their political parties.
3. We urge traditional leaders to desist from partisanship and serve the people rather than political parties.
4. Political leaders must act responsibly and desist from hate speech which is aimed at fuelling politically motivated violence and ultimately divide an already fragmented citizenry.
5. Parliament must expedite the Independent Complaints Law that will provide ways for reporting, receiving and investigating complaints from members of the public on various issues including misconduct of security forces and for remedying any harm caused by such misconduct.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores the ruling party; Zanu PF to desist from acts of violence against the opposition.
Today, October 20, 2021 Zanu PF youths clad in the party’s regalia tried to block opposition leader, Nelson Chamisa’s convoy in Nyanga, Manicaland province.
We are concerned over reports of an assassination attempt on the MDC Alliance leader in Manicaland on October 19, 2021.
Reports indicate that armed Zanu PF youths intercepted the opposition leader’s convoy and fired gunshots at his vehicle.
The incident follows another attack against the opposition leader by alleged Zanu PF activists in Masvingo Province on October 11, 2021.
On the same day (October 11, 2021), Chamisa and his team were teargased by riot police while they were holding a private meeting in Masvingo town.
The continued clampdown on the opposition goes against the ideals of a democratic society.
Of major concern is the fact that the state media and state security institutions are aiding the clampdown on the opposition and this has raised fears of yet another bloody election in 2023.
Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition implores state security institutions to desist from partisan politics.
In our capacity as an umbrella body of civil society organisations operating in Zimbabwe, we implore law enforcement agents to investigate the incidences of violence and bring perpetrators to book.
Allowing Zanu PF activists to operate above the law can only serve to further shrink the democratic space and fuel rights violations against opposition supporters.
By A Correspondent| Opposition Transform Zimbabwe leader Jacob Ngarivhume has announced that he is under investigation from the police over his Ecocash line which they allege moved US$1400 over three years for black market purposes.
Ngarivhume did not shed much detail on how he got to know about his alleged crime and whether the police have opened a docket against him.
“The CID has come alive. They are investigating me for an ecocash line they say moved 1400 USD over 3 years possibly for black market purposes,” said Ngarivhume.
He has previously had a brush with the police after he organised protests against corruption last year under the banner of 31st July Movement.
Ngarivhume was later arrested and is currently in court charged with Inciting public violence.
Fishing business in Binga is reportedly on the decline due to exorbitant fees for permits, as well as a drop in the fish population in the Zambezi River.
Reports reveal that the shortage of fish was caused by over-fishing on the Zambian side.
Binga is well-known for its thriving fishing business with a number of enterprising locals establishing flourishing businesses.
Fishing advocacy consultant Peter Musanka told Southern Eye that fishing business was declining in Binga.
“Kapenta (small fish) and grill net fishing is dwindling. Currently people are fishing in prohibited areas in order to get something because they are not getting anything,” Musanka said.
“This is being caused by over-fishing. You realise that Zambezi River is shared by two countries; Zambia and Zimbabwe, and on the Zambian side they do not follow regulations like what we do here.”
Musanka said fishing permits in Zambia were much cheaper than in Zimbabwe.
Fishing permits are mandatory for commercial fishermen, and they are renewable every year.
The licences are issued by the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority (ZimParks) to prevent over-fishing and aid conservation.
They cost US$1 200 yearly, and fishermen have to spend thousands of dollars constructing fishing rigs that meet government standards.
There is also a limited number of permits handed out each year, and this disproportionately benefits wealthy fishermen from the cities at the expense of communities.
Those caught fishing without a licence are fined $2 000 and risk having their boats impounded.
“Kapenta fishermen usually break the law to fish on the river mouth.
They go into shallow areas, which are prohibited as they are breeding areas for fish.
“Even if heavy penalties are imposed on them, this does not stop them from doing so. Every month several boats are apprehended,” Musanka said.
“This is a sign that kapenta fishing and grill netting is no longer viable in Zimbabwe.”
He said fishermen were also facing marketing challenges.
“We do not have a local market; people have to travel to sell fish to areas like Bulawayo, Hwange and Harare. They also face challenges such as power cuts, especially for grill natters.
“After catching fish, they are supposed to refrigerate them so that they keep fresh.
“We also do not have designated shops where people can sell their fish and buy fishing equipment in Binga.”
ZimParks spokesperson Tinashe Farawo said he could not immediately comment on the issue as he was not feeling well.
Fishing has been a source of livelihood for the Binga community for generations. Despite this resource, the district has remained under-developed, with inaccessible roads, poor connectivity and inadequate infrastructure.
Former Information and Communication Technology minister Supa Mandiwanzira yesterday accused ex-NetOne chief executive officer Reward Kangai of maliciously attempting to drag him into the parastatal’s US$4 million corruption scandal, for which he had already been cleared by the courts.
This was after Kangai wrote to Prosecutor-General Kumbirai Hodzi on September 28, 2021 imploring him to expedite prosecution of NetOne’s million-dollar corruption scandal, which implicated Mandiwanzira, who was, however, acquitted of the charges by the High Court.
Kangai was the State witness in the matter in which Mandiwanzira was being accused of interfering in the operations of NetOne by allegedly corruptly handpicking a Chinese company, Megawatt Energy, to investigate another Chinese firm, Huawei. Megawatt was set to be paid US$4 million.
The charges were, however, quashed by the then High Court judge Justice Nicholas Mathonsi following an application for review by Mandiwanzira.
In his letter to Hodzi, Kangai claimed that he was still being victimised by unnamed individuals involved in the scandal, adding that there was interference with the course of justice in handling the matter which he reported to authorities in 2016.
He said he was fired from his post as NetOne chief executive and was, instead, arrested for corruption after having exposed the US$4 million scandal.
But through his lawyer Fungai Chimwamurombe, Mandiwanzira distanced himself from Kangai’s dismissal, saying the latter was implicated in a forensic audit report which exposed mismanagement at the parastatal, resulting in the termination of his contract.
“Mr Kangai was terminated as chief executive officer of NetOne by the nonrenewal of his contract after 15 years at the helm of the State-owned enterprise. His termination followed a damning forensic audit report by PricewaterhouseCoopers which unearthed extensive corruption and mismanagement at NetOne and directly implicated Mr Kangai,” Chimwamurombe said.
He said although Kangai had lobbied for the arrest of prosecutor Admore Nyazamba, charges against him were later withdrawn by Hodzi after he discovered that they were malicious and baseless.
Police yesterday said the MDC Alliance was not co-operating with law enforcement agents to facilitate a probe into the opposition’s claims of violence against its leader.
The party claimed on Tuesday that leader Nelson Chamisa’s convoy was intercepted by suspected Zanu PF supporters who allegedly shot the rear window of his car in a suspected assassination attempt.
The alleged incident happened as Chamisa was headed for Mutare after experiencing similar attacks in Masvingo.
Police said MDC Alliance vice-president Lynette Karenyi-Kore filed a violence report on Tuesday night, but the party was no longer co-operating with the law enforcement agents deployed to investigate the claims.
“They refused to allow the Zimbabwe Republic Police to record witness statements from occupants of the alleged damaged vehicles, from the convoy and aides,” police said in a statement.
“They also refused to go for indications at the scene or allow the vehicles involved to be examined by forensic scientists or ballistic experts who are currently in Mutare since October 21.”
But MDC Alliance spokesperson Fadzayi Mahere said police were not objective in their dealings with the party since the political violence started.
“There is a confidence gap that makes it hard for us to trust that they will carry out their duties constitutionally,” Mahere said.
“The onus is on the police to demonstrate that they are objective. They have a history of prejudging these matters and turning on the victims. We saw what they did with the MDC trio (Joanah Mamombe, Cecelia Chimbiri and Netsai Marova) and several other victims of political violence and torture. We know their modus operandi.”
She accused police of taking orders from Zanu PF “thugs” at roadblocks, shielding the perpetrators of violence.
By A Correspondent- The Kingdom of Eswatini’s Deputy Prime Minister, Themba Masuku, has denied media reports that police have been using live ammunition on the pro-democracy protesters.
In an exclusive interview with SABC News, Masuku said the police are deployed to the streets to protect properties in the kingdom.
He said:
There is no truth in all of it. There are police shooting people in the street. What happened yesterday was that; we had that march which was supposed to have been peaceful, which had been authorised to take place, but it could not take place because as a country, we run its affairs through intelligence.
We had received intelligence that then compelled the government to cancel the march. I want to emphasise that the people marching in this country are supported by the constitution and other pieces of legislation that exist in the country.
Earlier on Thursday, South Africa’s president, Cyril Ramaphosa, confirmed the appointment of former Minister Jeff Radebe and Deputy Minister of International Relations and Cooperation; Candith Mashego-Dlamini as Special Envoys to Eswatini.
The deployment comes as violence and allegations of human rights violations continue in the midst of pro-democracy protests.
Ramaphosa made the appointment in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Southern African Development Community’s (SADC) Organ on Defence, Politics and Security.
The special envoys are expected to be received by King Mswati III.
The Presidency statement says the envoys will seek to engage other stakeholders as may be deemed feasible.
Reports suggest that Eswatini security forces used live ammunition to break up a pro-democracy protest by nurses, shooting at least 30 of them on Wednesday.
The latest protests in Eswatini have run for more than two weeks, spearheaded by students, civil servants, and transport workers.-sabc
By A Correspondent- A teacher at Courtney Selous Primary School in Greendale, Harare, appeared before a magistrate on Wednesday to answer to ill-treatment of children charges after she reportedly assaulted a six-year-old pupil using a cooking stick.
Virginia Nevanji (48), was not asked to plead when she appeared before Harare magistrate Tafadzwa Miti who released her on free bail and ordered her to return to court on 25 November.
The trial couldn’t commence because there was an outstanding probation officer’s report required during the trial.
Nevanji was ordered not to interfere with State witnesses.
Allegations are that on 13 October, at around 10 AM, the complainant was in a Shona lesson but did not realise that his teacher had moved to the English lesson of the day so he continued writing his Shona exercise.
Nevanji saw the complainant writing Shona and went to his desk and started assaulting him with a cooking stick several times on his back.
The matter came to light the next morning when the complainant’s mother was bathing him and she saw some bruises on the complainant’s back.
The mother asked the boy what had happened and he told her what had transpired and they made a police report.
The complainant was medically examined and a medical affidavit will be produced during trial.
In a related development, Talent Chingwaru (39), a teacher at Harare Einstein Tuition Centre, was ordered to perform 630 hours of unpaid work at Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals after he assaulted a Lower Sixth student.
Chingwaru was initially jailed for 36 months but 18 months were set aside for five years on condition of good behaviour.
The remaining months were commuted to 630 hours of community service.
ZIMBABWE Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR) joins the rest of the continent to commemorate Africa Human Rights Day.
The theme for 2021 is “Africa Human Rights 40 years after adoption of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.” The theme presents an opportunity for people from all walks of life around the African Union including Zimbabwe, to reflect on how far the member states and the people of Africa have implemented and upheld the values, fundamental rights and freedoms provided in the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Zimbabwe like most other member states of the African Union is a state party to the African Charter. The African Charter also established the African Commission which has a three-pronged mandate of protection of human and peoples’ rights, promotion of human and peoples’ rights and the interpretation of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
Over the years, the African Commission has received periodic reports from member states updating on progress made towards implementing the African Charter and any challenges that the states are encountering.
To this end, the Zimbabwean government has also submitted several reports to the African Commission, with the most recent having been submitted in 2019 highlighting the progress that the country has made in implementing the provisions of the African Charter.
Although the African Charter encourages member states to take necessary measures to ensure the implementation of the human and peoples’ rights espoused in the African Charter, there has been limited political will to fulfil these obligations.
Despite the voluntary commitments that the Zimbabwean government has made under the African Charter, ZLHR remains concerned that violations of human and peoples’ rights in Zimbabwe continue unabated. The Bill of Rights provisions in the 2013 Constitution of Zimbabwe, domesticates some of the fundamental rights and freedoms in the African Charter. However, violations of civil rights, political rights, social, economic and cultural rights continue to be well documented.
As Zimbabwe joins the rest of the continent on this Africa Human Rights Day, ZLHR is alarmed by recent incidents of politically motivated violence experienced by the opposition political party Movement for Democratic Change Alliance (MDC-A) members during their community citizens’ conversation interface. Also disturbing are the reported attempts on the MDC-A party leader’s life – Advocate Nelson Chamisa.
On this Africa Human Rights Day, ZLHR urges government to; • Implement all outstanding recommendations that have been made by the African Commission in its concluding observations following submission of the previous state reports.
• Implement recommendations made by the African Commission in Resolution 443 on the human rights situation in the Republic of Zimbabwe.
• Ratify the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights on the establishment of the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
• Uphold political and civil rights without discrimination and arrest and prosecute perpetrators of political violence.
By A Correspondent-A Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service (ZPCS) senior prison officer stationed at Shurugwi has been arrested after she poured hot cooking oil on her husband for coming home late.
Memory Madziwa (39) who is a Chief Correctional Officer and currently the second in charge at Shurugwi Female Prison also hit her husband on the head with the pot that was carrying the oil.
According to a police report, Madziwa went on to beat her husband with clenched fists but Mr Henemiah Mutonhori managed to escape the violent attack and found refuge at Shurugwi police station.
He then filed a domestic violence report under RRB number 493342, Shurugwi.
“The incident occurred on Tuesday night and police who attended to the scene took Madziwa to the police station but due to her position at the prison, she was released and will be appearing in court by way of summons,” said a police source close to the investigations.
By A Correspondent- A secret love affair between a tenant and a married man was exposed after a child stumbled on the lovebirds’ nud_e pictures and informed her mother leading to the breakdown of the marriage.
Ellen Phiri (32) has been married to Chenjerai Samu (43) and they have children together.
Ellen is a hairdresser while the alleged marriage wrecker, Sukoluhle Sibanda, who is well known as Langa was her major client.
The two got so close and Ellen offered her a place to rent at her home in Matshobane suburb when she left in 2019 to stay in South Africa. She left their children in Matshobane.
While she was in South Africa, her husband Chenjerai Samu (43) fell in love with Langa.
The source said: “Chenjerai would visit to see the children.
“During that time, the two developed a r0mance after which they fell in love and they would book at a city lodge where they would engage in se_x. After certain se_x sessions they would capture nud_es.”
The insider went on to say, Chenjerai revealed that he would have se_x with Langa so as to hurt Ellen.
“It seems Chenjerai was avenging because he once disclosed to Ellen’s relative that he was sleeping with Langa so as to hurt her because he discovered that she once cheated on him,” said the source.
During one of her routine visits, their child stumbled on Chenjerai and Langa’s nudes on his phone and told her mother.
“The child informed her mother leading to the exposure of the secret love affair,” said the source.
Ellen said after the expose, Chenjerai apologised.
“He apologised profusely but I told him that we have to engage our parents so as to solve this matter but he has not bothered to meet my parents and how can I forgive him because this matter is beyond me and it now involves my family,” she said.
Ellen added: “After that I phoned Langa complaining why she was wrecking my marriage. She insulted me.”
In a bid to hurt her and embarrass her, Langa reportedly took Ellen’s image and captioned it with nud_e pictures and messages pointing out how much she charges for se_x.
The message read: “Welcome to Ellen, for blow job R150, R600 night without protection, anal se_x R50, night R1000 and night without protection R1000.”
Alongside the image she put nud_es showing a woman’s private parts and butt0cks and another image where a hand holds a man 0rgan.
She fingered Langa and said she wanted to sue her.
“It’s Langa who captioned my picture with those messages and put nud_e images. I want to sue her for defaming my character,” she said.
Contacted for a comment Langa said: “Who told you that? And why can’t you ask those people who told you.”
When this reporter pressed on she said: “Kulendoda yenja (Is there a woman who falls in love with a dog)”.
Before he terminated the call Chenjerai said: “I have no comment. And why are you concerned about it.”
By A Correspondent- Former MDC Mayors have intensified their fight against MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and released a statement backing the ruling Zanu PF’s anti-sanctions choir.
Below is the Former Mayors Association Of Zimbabwe ‘s complete statement issued on Friday:
Former Mayors Association of Zimbabwe, deputy chairman, Peter Chandafira Matambo.
Whether targeted or severally imposed, sanctions are a crude, cruel way of enslavement by sadistic, bullish nations over vulnerable nations. They bring untold suffering and misery to the masses of a country. They are brought in through politically linked perceptions by simply using the politically weak and power-hungry political party leadership with the sole intention of causing regime change to the affected countries and at the same time weakening their economies.
If you target the father with certain restrictions, the whole family will suffer as the head of the family won’t be able to provide for the mother and children adequately. For a country, it’s much worse as the whole nation is forced to carry the burden of a black sheep in all businesses. So calling for the imposition of sanctions against one’s own country is un-African and primitive. Human rights abuses should have a platform to deal with them, such as regional or continental bodies.
As former mayors of rural centres, towns and cities, we were able to see the havoc brought in by these so-called “targeted sanctions”. Simple tasks of offering quality service delivery to the people were severely affected, and deadly diseases as cholera became permanent visitors in our midst.
Rather engagement with errant governments should be encouraged. Suppose one associates with targeted people or institutions; they are painted with the same brush, meaning trade is restricted to those individuals; investment flies away in fear of reprisals from countries of their origin. It’s a waste of time, as the intended purpose is thrown into the backburner. Really Sanctions foment hate, and if you take a deep look into them, they have a racist inclination.
Opposition finds a lot of sympathy from these westerners; hence we all hear them say “tinozvidira Jecha, meaning we will pour sand on the food and you won’t be able to eat it or ” tamba tamba hako chidembo, muswe ndakabata” literally meaning you won’t achieve anything for as long we can call for sanctions.
Democracy is sacrosanct and also calls to hear from all sides, not from one side, that stage manages abductions assassinations as ways to get sympathy from visiting UN envoys, so as to go begging for more sanctions against your own government in foolish hopes of weakening the ruling party in feeble hope of winning elections.
So actually calling for sanctions against your own country to get power is not only childish; it’s criminal and treasonous as the whole country is held at ransom and the most affected are the most vulnerable citizens. Sitting at a round table offers a good chance of finding each other as well as solutions to challenges facing our beloved country no matter the composition of people coming together.
Issued by Former Mayors Association of Zimbabwe, deputy chairman, Peter Chandafira Matambo.
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police have recovered ammunition in Zvishavane and arrested a handful of suspects.
In a statement Thursday ZRP said they arrested Sizwesenkosi Hlongwane (42), Isheunesu Gumbo (27), Bruce Ephraim Makara, (29) and Don Tanaka Masukume (29) on 20th October 2021 for unlawful possession of the firearms.
ZRP posted:
Police in Zvishavane received a tip-off to the effect that there were some suspected criminals at a local car sale.
A team of police officers acted upon the information and discovered that the suspects had driven off in a Toyota Wish motor vehicle towards Bulawayo along Masvingo – Mbalabala Road. The suspects were then arrested at a police roadblock along the same road.
Following the arrest of the suspects a Taurus pistol with an empty magazine, a Star pistol with an empty magazine, an AK rifle bayonet and 3mm pistol rounds were recovered from the suspects.
Investigations revealed that Sizwesenkosi Hlongwane has two pending cases of armed robbery, which occurred in Khezi, Maphisa and Zvishavane.
Meanwhile, the Zimbabwe Republic Police is appealing for information that may assist in the investigation of a murder and robbery case which occurred on 21st October 2021 at around 0030 hours, at Molife Village, Chief Chinamhora.
On the said date, the victim (28) and his wife were asleep in their bedroom when five suspects came to the house and demanded the couple to open the door alleging that they were police officers.
The suspects who were armed with iron bars, machetes and an unknown firearm suspected to be an AK 47 rifle, went on to fire shots on the floor of the house through the window.
The four suspects gained entry into the house through the window after removing burglar bars.
Whilst in the house, the suspects attacked the couple with iron bars demanding cash before they were given US$2 800 by the victim’s wife.
One of the suspects fired two shots on the victim’s back as the suspects escaped through the window. The victim died on the spot.
By Farai D Hove | The government last night announced it has deployed investigators to Nashville High School where a COVID outbreak was recently reported on ZimEye, amid a massive cover up by school authorities.
COVID-19 Reaction Teams have been dispatched to the school this Thursday evening, the state media reported.
Kids lying on the ground suffering from suspected COVID-19
A detailed report is to be released once investigations are through, the state report concluded. – More to follow….
By A Correspondent- Zanu PF President Emmerson Mnangagwa has admitted that he was losing control of the party, which is in turmoil as ambitious cadres violently jostled for positions during internal elections over the past months.
Addressing an extraordinary session of the Zanu PF politburo, Mnangagwa threatened to descend heavily on party members who he accused of violating the party’s constitution. He said:
The party has no room for divisive elements who want positions at the expense of the party’s discipline, unity, love and harmony and development. It is alien for our party members to fight for posts; violence of any kind whether physical or verbal has no place in ZANU PF or in our country. … Those who wantonly violate and desecrate our party constitution’s peaceful culture and values must be dealt with decisively without fear or favour.
This comes after ZANU PF district elections turned violent in Harare and Manicaland provinces, with Mnangagwa forced to postpone provincial elections indefinitely last month as fights for positions turned nasty. Mnangagwa pleaded for unity and harmony in the ruling party ahead of the 2023 elections where he is expected to seek re-election for a second and final 5-year term. During his address, Mnangagwa also accused the West of trying to effect regime change through the imposition of sanctions, adding that they had been stopped by young people. Acting party political commissar Patrick Chinamasa told a post-politburo briefing that the party will deploy senior members to provinces and districts to iron out differences among members. -NewsDay
By A Correspondent- Pupils at Mashoko Mission High School Bikita District, Masvingo Province, went berserk on Thursday morning and destroyed property, including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to deploy the Riot Unit to the school.
According to The Mirror, the irate pupils destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get a full briefing.
The pupils had several grievances, among them the school’s failure to supply electricity for the past seven days and the unavailability of running water for several weeks.
Furthermore, staff turnover is said to be high and the head is rarely at the school amid allegations that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9 AM and only stopped after the intervention of riot police around lunchtime.
Masvingo police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter while efforts by The Mirror to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
A parent who spoke to The Mirror said the unavailability of running water and electricity at the school was of concern. The parent said:
The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from the Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole.
By A Correspondent- The Douglas Mwonzora led MDC has accused the faction led by Nelson Chamisa of causing the Thursday violence at a press conference in Harare.
Mwonzora’s party activists led by their youth leader Yvonne Musarurwa shoved Thokozani Khupe’s former bodyguard Kudzanai Mashumba and disrupted the presser.
Mashumba, at the press conference, intended to expose what he alleged was mismanagement of funds by Mwonzora.
On his Twitter handle Thursday, Mwonzora party spokesperson Witness Dube said Chamisa had sent Mashumba to lie against MDC-T.
Tinashe Sambiri|President Nelson Chamisa has finally spoken on the attempts by the Zanu PF regime to assassinate him.
President Chamisa has survived two assassination attempts in Chiredzi and Mutare as the regime desperately seeks to disrupt his community engagement meetings.
He wrote on his official Facebook page:
THEY NEARLY TOOK ME OUT..He wants me killed and dead.
They want blood and more blood.They missed by seconds because Our #Godisinit.Violence & assassinations won’t solve complex national challenges.
I’m Nyanga today meeting the community.Change must happen.The citizens are clear!
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change!
Tinashe Sambiri|The MDC Alliance is targeting a landslide victory for President Nelson Chamisa in Kwekwe Central Constituency.
Though Kwekwe is regarded as Mr Emmerson Mnangagwa’s home ground, the Zanu PF leader has lost dismally in the area in previous elections.
See the MDC Alliance Namibia statement below:
Honourable Judith Tobaiwa hails Mdc Alliance Namibia for exhibiting solidarity with Kwekwe Central Constituency.
21 October 2021
Kwekwe Central Constituency leadership represented by the able Honourable Judith Tobaiwa expressed great honour and appreciation to Mdc Alliance Namibia after receiving a beautiful soccer kit with party logo and colours. On top of the football jerseys, the vibrant district under the chairmanship of Elisha Chambara added 50 t-shirts towards the #OneMillionCampaign targeted at virgin voters in 2023.
According to Honourable Judith Tobaiwa, RedStars is a team comprising of 18-22 years old youths recruited and registered to vote for socio-economic transformation in 2023 choosing none other than the political mountain President Advocate Nelson Chamisa. The team is being used as a voter registration tool and also an effective recruitment and mobilisation avenue. Mdc Alliance Namibia feels energised to continue supporting organic and pragmatic approach to the national democratic revolution. It is quite sweet to hear that for one to qualify in the the team in Chiundura, one has to be a registered voter or to be a recognised member of the youth assembly.
Furthermore, a local league has been established and the change team is doing very well in increasing the number of youths itching to join the freedom train. Social democrats in Kwekwe Central Constituency gyrated hysterically in uncontrollable gusto upon realising that the donated kit was a marketing tool on its own because of the party brand, logo,name and colours. The leadership acknowledged the huge influence the kit has on voter registration drive. It is clear that solidarity with our constituencies back home is significant in re-energising the revolutionary base.
It is against this comradely background that Honourable Judith Tobaiwa said,”I want to thank Mdc Alliance Namibia Chapter or family for the revolutionary contribution towards building a strong party in Kwekwe Central. We say thank you for your solidarity, welldone”. The active district went on to adopt Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe as a twin for 2023 harmonised elections. As democratic fighters,we believe that solidarity is a core value in Social Democracy hence the need to walk the talk. We urge all stakeholders in Mdc Alliance external assemblies to twin rural constituencies towards 2023 where we target 6 million voters for change ready to defend the vote.
In a nutshell, voter registration drive is our concern across the breadths and lengths of Zimbabwe. We need to offer moral, material and financial support to the national democratic revolution so that we can win Zimbabwe for complete change. It is everyone’s revolutionary obligation to embrace participatory democracy. Mdc Alliance Namibia District eulogises the interface by President Advocate Nelson Chamisa in marginalised rural communities in Zimbabwe.The decision to go rural was a dream, now our president is walking the word despite Zanupf shenanigans manifesting in futile assassination attempts on the people’s President. What inspires us is that the leadership is not backtracking or wavering, thank you President for dodging bullets for your people who are languishing in abject poverty.
HARARE – A hastily-arranged special session of the Zanu PF central committee that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the party presidency in 2017, ousting Robert Mugabe, was unlawful, a Zanu PF supporter has sensationally charged in a court filing.
Sybeth Musengezi, a card-carrying member for 20 years, wants the High Court to declare the resolutions of that central committee meeting “null and void”, and for a special congress to be ordered within three months to “regularise the top leadership positions in the party.”
Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa, who had been sacked as vice president, was thrust as leader by an unlawful central committee meeting convened by unknown people including Patrick Chinamsa and Obert Mpofu, in violation of the party’s constitution.
He accused the parties of taking advantage of the unfolding military coup, dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ to topple the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“The implementation of the strategy to topple Mugabe from the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF commenced with unknown individuals convening a purported special session of the Central Committee of Zanu PF at the party’s headquarters on Sunday, November 19, 2017,” Musengezi said.
The meeting resolved that the top leadership of the party was incapacitated to execute their duties in terms of the constitution, and Mpofu was elected to preside over the proceedings as he was the most senior member of the party present.
Musengezi said the resolution document betrays the unconstitutionality and unlawfulness of the purported special session of the Central Committee not least because the Zanu PF constitution says only the first secretary (president), second secretary or the chairperson can preside over a central committee meeting.
Musengezi said the meeting was not convened by the then secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, and Mugabe was not incapacitated at all to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of the party constitution.
“He (Mugabe) was at all material times seized with the internal affairs of the party in his engagement with the commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as evidenced by the subject of his televised speech on the evening of November 19, 2017, at the end of which he bid the whole country a good night with the famed Asante Sana remark,” he said.
A day later, Mugabe was evidently not incapacitated because he managed to cap hundreds of university students at the Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, says Musengezi.
He said Phelekezela Mphoko, then the vice president and Zanu PF second secretary, also was not incapacitated.
“If anything, the ZDF justified its intervention in the internal affairs of the party on the basis of protecting Mugabe from criminals around him. This, therefore, means that the president and first secretary of the party were fully protected and available to convene and preside over the lawfully convened session of the central committee,” Musengezi argues.
“The conclusion is therefore inescapable that the alleged incapacitation of the top leadership of the party to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee was a figment of the imagination of these members bent on violating the clear provisions of the constitution of Zanu PF in the furtherance of their preconceived strategy to unlawfully topple Mugabe and to foist on the party Mnangagwa in absentia as the president and first secretary.”
He said it was illegal for Chinamasa to purport to usurp and discharge the functions of the secretary for administration.
“From the narrative above, it becomes clear that the purported special session of the central committee was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. It follows, therefore, that all the purported resolutions passed at the impugned meeting are also unlawful and invalid.”
Musengezi also told the High Court that the central committee does not have the power to reinstate a member who was expelled from the party, without that member following due process under the party constitution.
He said it was therefore illegal for the committee to purport to reinstate expelled members as well as Mnangagwa in absentia to the position from which he had been lawfully dismissed.
“It was scandalous and it gives credence to the inference that it was all part of a preconceived strategy to further the achievement of the well-documented ambitions of Mnangagwa of toppling and succeeding Mugabe both as president and first secretary of the party and as president and the head of state of the country,” he argues.
He said as a direct result of the unconstitutional and unlawful special session of the central committee, Mnangagwa was purportedly elected in absentia to the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF and to the position of acting president and head of state of the country.
He said the conduct of those who convened the meeting robbed Zimbabweans of freely choosing their president.
Musengezi said Mnangagwa was “handpicked by not more than 201 party members gathered outside the provision of Zanu PF constitution.”
Zanu PF, he argued, is supposed to hold its elective congress every five years but Mnangagwa has failed to do so, two years after it became due.
He petitioned the court to grant a declaratory order and consequential relief that the events of November 19, 2017, be declared null and void.
He begged the court to order the party to go back to November 19, 2017, and direct Mphoko as the lawful vice president and second secretary to take necessary steps in terms of the party constitution to convene the special congress to regularise leadership within three months of granting of the order.
Musengezi has cited Zanu PF as the first respondent in the matter, while Mnangagwa is second, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu (third), acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa (4th), former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko (fifth) and former secretary for administration Ignatious Chombo as the sixth respondent.
Musengezi wants respondents who oppose the application to pay costs of the suit.
HARARE – A hastily-arranged special session of the Zanu PF central committee that catapulted Emmerson Mnangagwa to the party presidency in 2017, ousting Robert Mugabe, was unlawful, a Zanu PF supporter has sensationally charged in a court filing.
Sybeth Musengezi, a card-carrying member for 20 years, wants the High Court to declare the resolutions of that central committee meeting “null and void”, and for a special congress to be ordered within three months to “regularise the top leadership positions in the party.”
Musengezi argues that Mnangagwa, who had been sacked as vice president, was thrust as leader by an unlawful central committee meeting convened by unknown people including Patrick Chinamsa and Obert Mpofu, in violation of the party’s constitution.
He accused the parties of taking advantage of the unfolding military coup, dubbed ‘Operation Restore Legacy’ to topple the late former President Robert Mugabe from power.
“The implementation of the strategy to topple Mugabe from the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF commenced with unknown individuals convening a purported special session of the Central Committee of Zanu PF at the party’s headquarters on Sunday, November 19, 2017,” Musengezi said.
The meeting resolved that the top leadership of the party was incapacitated to execute their duties in terms of the constitution, and Mpofu was elected to preside over the proceedings as he was the most senior member of the party present.
Musengezi said the resolution document betrays the unconstitutionality and unlawfulness of the purported special session of the Central Committee not least because the Zanu PF constitution says only the first secretary (president), second secretary or the chairperson can preside over a central committee meeting.
Musengezi said the meeting was not convened by the then secretary for administration, Ignatius Chombo, and Mugabe was not incapacitated at all to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee in terms of the party constitution.
“He (Mugabe) was at all material times seized with the internal affairs of the party in his engagement with the commanders of the Zimbabwe Defence Forces as evidenced by the subject of his televised speech on the evening of November 19, 2017, at the end of which he bid the whole country a good night with the famed Asante Sana remark,” he said.
A day later, Mugabe was evidently not incapacitated because he managed to cap hundreds of university students at the Zimbabwe Open University graduation ceremony, says Musengezi.
He said Phelekezela Mphoko, then the vice president and Zanu PF second secretary, also was not incapacitated.
“If anything, the ZDF justified its intervention in the internal affairs of the party on the basis of protecting Mugabe from criminals around him. This, therefore, means that the president and first secretary of the party were fully protected and available to convene and preside over the lawfully convened session of the central committee,” Musengezi argues.
“The conclusion is therefore inescapable that the alleged incapacitation of the top leadership of the party to preside over a lawfully convened session of the central committee was a figment of the imagination of these members bent on violating the clear provisions of the constitution of Zanu PF in the furtherance of their preconceived strategy to unlawfully topple Mugabe and to foist on the party Mnangagwa in absentia as the president and first secretary.”
He said it was illegal for Chinamasa to purport to usurp and discharge the functions of the secretary for administration.
“From the narrative above, it becomes clear that the purported special session of the central committee was unconstitutional and therefore illegal. It follows, therefore, that all the purported resolutions passed at the impugned meeting are also unlawful and invalid.”
Musengezi also told the High Court that the central committee does not have the power to reinstate a member who was expelled from the party, without that member following due process under the party constitution.
He said it was therefore illegal for the committee to purport to reinstate expelled members as well as Mnangagwa in absentia to the position from which he had been lawfully dismissed.
“It was scandalous and it gives credence to the inference that it was all part of a preconceived strategy to further the achievement of the well-documented ambitions of Mnangagwa of toppling and succeeding Mugabe both as president and first secretary of the party and as president and the head of state of the country,” he argues.
He said as a direct result of the unconstitutional and unlawful special session of the central committee, Mnangagwa was purportedly elected in absentia to the position of president and first secretary of Zanu PF and to the position of acting president and head of state of the country.
He said the conduct of those who convened the meeting robbed Zimbabweans of freely choosing their president.
Musengezi said Mnangagwa was “handpicked by not more than 201 party members gathered outside the provision of Zanu PF constitution.”
Zanu PF, he argued, is supposed to hold its elective congress every five years but Mnangagwa has failed to do so, two years after it became due.
He petitioned the court to grant a declaratory order and consequential relief that the events of November 19, 2017, be declared null and void.
He begged the court to order the party to go back to November 19, 2017, and direct Mphoko as the lawful vice president and second secretary to take necessary steps in terms of the party constitution to convene the special congress to regularise leadership within three months of granting of the order.
Musengezi has cited Zanu PF as the first respondent in the matter, while Mnangagwa is second, secretary for administration Obert Mpofu (third), acting political commissar Patrick Chinamasa (4th), former vice president Phelekezela Mphoko (fifth) and former secretary for administration Ignatious Chombo as the sixth respondent.
Musengezi wants respondents who oppose the application to pay costs of the suit.
The COVID-19 pandemic has reversed years of global progress in tackling tuberculosis and for the first time in over a decade, TB deaths have increased, according to the World Health Organization’s 2021 Global TB report.
In 2020, more people died from TB, with far fewer people being diagnosed and treated or provided with TB preventive treatment compared with 2019, and overall spending on essential TB services falling.
The first challenge is disruption in access to TB services and a reduction in resources. In many countries, human, financial and other resources have been reallocated from tackling TB to the COVID-19 response, limiting the availability of essential services.
The second is that people have struggled to seek care in the context of lockdowns.
“This report confirms our fears that the disruption of essential health services due to the pandemic could start to unravel years of progress against tuberculosis,” said Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General. “This is alarming news that must serve as a global wake-up call to the urgent need for investments and innovation to close the gaps in diagnosis, treatment and care for the millions of people affected by this ancient but preventable and treatable disease.”
TB services are among many others disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, but the impact on TB has been particularly severe.
For example, approximately, 1.5 million people died from TB in 2020 (including 214 000 among HIV positive people).
The increase in the number of TB deaths occurred mainly in the 30 countries with the highest burden of TB[1]. WHO modelling projections suggest the number of people developing TB and dying from the disease could be much higher in 2021 and 2022.
Challenges with providing and accessing essential TB services have meant that many people with TB were not diagnosed in 2020. The number of people newly diagnosed with TB and those reported to national governments fell from 7.1 million in 2019 to 5.8 million in 2020.
WHO estimates that some 4.1 million people currently suffer from TB but have not been diagnosed with the disease or have not officially reported to national authorities. This figure is up from 2.9 million in 2019.
The countries that contributed most to the global reduction in TB notifications between 2019 and 2020 were India (41%), Indonesia (14%), the Philippines (12%) and China (8%). These and 12 other countries accounted for 93% of the total global drop in notifications.
There was also a reduction in provision of TB preventive treatment. Some 2.8 million people accessed this in 2020, a 21% reduction since 2019. In addition, the number of people treated for drug-resistant TB fell by 15%, from 177 000 in 2019 to 150 000 in 2020, equivalent to only about 1 in 3 of those in need.
Global investment for TB falls Funding in the low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) that account for 98% of reported TB cases remains a challenge. Of the total funding available in 2020, 81% came from domestic sources, with the BRICS countries (Brazil, Russian Federation, India, China and South Africa) accounting for 65% of total domestic funding.
The largest bilateral donor is the Government of the United States of America. The biggest international donor is the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
The report notes a fall in global spending on TB diagnostic, treatment and prevention services, from US$ 5.8 billion to US$ 5.3 billion, which is less than half of the global target for fully funding the TB response of US$ 13 billion annually by 2022.
Meanwhile, although there is progress in the development of new TB diagnostics, drugs and vaccines, this is constrained by the overall level of R&D investment, which at US$ 0.9 billion in 2019 falls far short of the global target of US$ 2 billion per year.
Global TB targets off track Reversals in progress mean that the global TB targets are off track and appear increasingly out of reach, however there are some successes. Globally, the reduction in the number of TB deaths between 2015 and 2020 was only 9.2% – about one quarter of the way to the 2020 milestone of 35%.
Globally, the number of people falling ill with TB each year (relative to population) dropped 11% from 2015 to 2020, just over half-way to the 2020 milestone of 20%.
However, the WHO European Region exceeded the 2020 milestone, with a reduction of 25%. This was mostly driven by the decline in the Russian Federation, where incidence fell by 6% per year between 2010 to 2020. The WHO African Region came close to reaching the milestone, with a reduction of 19%, which reflects impressive reductions of 4–10% per year in South Africa and several other countries in southern Africa, following a peak in the HIV epidemic and the expansion of TB and HIV prevention and care.
“We have just one year left to reach the historic 2022 TB targets committed by Heads of State at the first UN High Level Meeting on TB. The report provides important information and a strong reminder to countries to urgently fast-track their TB responses and save lives,” said Dr Tereza Kasaeva, Director of WHO’s Global TB Programme. “This will be crucial as preparations begin for the 2nd UN High Level Meeting on TB mandated for 2023.”
The report calls on countries to put in place urgent measures to restore access to essential TB services. It further calls for a doubling of investments in TB research and innovation as well as concerted action across the health sector and others to address the social, environmental and economic determinants of TB and its consequences.
The new report features data on disease trends and the response to the epidemic from 197 countries and areas, including 182 of the 194 World Health Organization (WHO) Member States.
A woman was raped last Wednesday night on a train near Philadelphia while fellow passengers were watching.
Authorities said some passengers may have even taken pictures and videos while it happened.
Officers reviewed surveillance footage from a Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train that shows a man boarding shortly after a woman and sitting next to her.
The footage shows the man talking to her, then “gradually” got aggressive, eventually ripping her clothes off and assaulting her.
Upper Darby Township Police Department Superintendent Timothy Bernhardt said “He sat next to her for a conversation. . . . And then he just completely overpowered the woman and forcibly raped her.”
Andrew Busch, a SEPTA spokesman said the assault took about eight minutes – but onlookers did not help the woman. Busch said:
If somebody who witnessed this had called 911, it’s possible that we would have been able to intervene even sooner. Because this had apparently started before the employee who was on board noticed what was going on.
Court records say the suspect, Fiston Ngoy, 35, has been charged with several crimes, including rape and aggravated indecent assault.
He is being held at the Delaware County jail on $180 000 bail. Once Ngoy was arrested, the woman – who has not been publicly identified – was taken to a hospital for treatment.
Bernhardt, the Upper Darby superintendent, Saturday said that the most “appalling” part of the event was the lack of empathy displayed by the other individuals riding the train.
Investigators are going over the surveillance footage, and police received reports of riders recording video or taking pictures while the rape took place. He said:
“I’m just speechless… I don’t know where we are in society that people can’t help other people out in a time of need.”- IOL
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that the opposition MDC Alliance was refusing to cooperate with investigations following allegations that its leader Nelson Chamisa had survived an assassination attempt in Mutare on Tuesday.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police received a report of the allegations from the MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi.
Nyathi told The Herald that a team of detectives has been dispatched to Manicaland to investigate the matter but said the MDC Alliance was not complying with investigations.
He said police had requested the MDC Alliance officials to also bring the vehicles involved in the allegations for forensic examination but they have also not been cooperating. Said Nyathi:
A report was made late at night by Lynette Karenyi and when the police requested to attend the scene, they refused.
Police then requested to have statements of the occupants of the vehicles be recorded and they refused again.
A team from the Ballistics and Forensic Unit in Mutare also wanted to attend the scene but they refused again to show them the scene or area where the incident had occurred.
… Police is ready to conduct investigations and a team of investigators has been dispatched to Mutare to conduct investigations and we want to urge them to cooperate with investigations.
Police want to attend the scene to gather evidence and if possible for any suspect involved in such allegations to be picked up.
Chamisa’s convoy was on Tuesday intercepted by heavily armed ZANU PF youth, who allegedly fired gunshots, hitting a rear window on the opposition leader’s vehicle on the outskirts of Mutare.
On Wednesday, he was blocked again by some ZANU PF youths and security details at Troutbeck turn-off in Nyanga when he was on his way to Ruwangwe.
Chamisa was also attacked in Masvingo last week by a group of ruling party supporters who were waving placards, accusing him of inviting sanctions on the country.
By A Correspondent- Pupils at Mashoko Mission High School Bikita District, Masvingo Province, went berserk on Thursday morning and destroyed property, including the head, Trynos Mbwirire’s vehicle, prompting the Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) to deploy the Riot Unit to the school.
According to The Mirror, the irate pupils destroyed windowpanes at the classrooms and uprooted carrots from Mbwirire’s garden.
Masvingo Acting Provincial Education Director (PED) Shylatte Mhike confirmed the disturbances but said she was yet to get a full briefing.
The pupils had several grievances, among them the school’s failure to supply electricity for the past seven days and the unavailability of running water for several weeks.
Furthermore, staff turnover is said to be high and the head is rarely at the school amid allegations that he will be attending political meetings.
The demonstrations started off at the classrooms at around 9 AM and only stopped after the intervention of riot police around lunchtime.
Masvingo police spokesperson Kudakwashe Dhewa said he was not aware of the matter while efforts by The Mirror to get a comment from Mbwirire were futile as his mobile phone was switched off.
A parent who spoke to The Mirror said the unavailability of running water and electricity at the school was of concern. The parent said:
The school has been without electricity for the past six days. We have a backup generator but the administration is saying that there is no fuel whereas O and A level students are writing their ZIMSEC examinations soon.
The school has also been running without tap water for several weeks because there is no fuel to draw water from a nearby dam and from the Mashoko Mission Hospital borehole.
By A Correspondent- MDC-T founding member Kudzanai Mashumba was on Thursday pushed and shoved by his erstwhile colleagues, among them Yvonne Musarurwa, while addressing his press conference.
Mashumba, had called for a press conference at the media centre in the capital to expose the party’s President Douglas Mwonzora.
Mashumba had called for a press conference at the media centre to expose Mwonzora’s alleged abuse of office, violence perpetrated against former acting party president Thokozani Khupe at the extraordinary congress in December last year, and the party’s failure to hold an ordinary congress as per its constitution.
By A Correspondent- Political activists aligned to the MDC-T President Douglas Mwonzora’s faction have beaten up one of the party’s founding members Kudzanai Mashumba at a press conference.
Mashumba, Thursday, had called for a press conference at the media centre in the capital to address what he said were issues affecting the party.
He said he had four critical issues the party needed to address.
The issues included Mwonzora’s alleged abuse of office, violence perpetrated against former acting party president Thokozani Khupe at the extraordinary congress in December last year, and the party’s failure to hold an ordinary congress as per its constitution.
By A Correspondent- Opposition MDC-Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa has won the hearts of the Manicaland people.
Chamisa toured the province on a meet the people campaign.
Posting on his Twitter account, Chamisa said Manicaland had shown that it needed change. He posted: I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change
I’m in rural Manicaland ..The JOY & HOPE is palpable ! HOPE is all I see. HOPE is what we represent. HOPE is what we bring! A NEW GREAT ZIMBABWE in our lifetime. Winning Zimbabwe for Change! pic.twitter.com/E6IX9G1IHk
Was this a coincidence or there was something seriously going on inside the young lad's mind when he saw Emmerson Mnangagwa's coming towards him to lift him up?
Was this a coincidence or there was something seriously going on inside the young lad’s mind when he saw Emmerson Mnangagwa’s coming towards him to lift him up?
– Tender cancelled, restarted and then Kazembe wins.
– Kirsty Coventry’s Perm Sec says tender-details are confidential.
– Winner’s company phones not working 2 months later.
By Simba Chikanza |Will the National Sports Stadium be finally renovated years after the infrastructure was condemned?
Home Affairs Minister Kazembe Kazembe has under suspicious circumstances won the USD2,5 million tender to renovate the National Sports Stadium following a sudden stripping of the first winner, the Securico company.
This investigation also shows evidence that the tender has nothing to do with renovations that have remained outstanding for more than 5 years; the million dollar project, is all to do with the installation of cosmetic electronic devices, on top of the delapidated infrastructure.
Kazembe Kazembe
Kazembe Kazembe’s company, Leabridge Technologies has won the tender despite not possessing a history of running a project of the size.
Other companies which submitted tenders are: Safeguard, Securico, Suvkin Enterprise, Slow Grand Engineering, Radio Solutions, Sports Health Centre, Sonic Signals, AC Controls, and Setworth.
Kazembe had at first teamed up with Securico, but somewhat upon noticing that Securico had submitted separately and won, the tender win was cancelled and re-advertised.
Tender cancelled, restarted and then Kazembe wins
The tender back in October 2020, was restarted after Kazembe had lost and Securico had won. The mistake of cancelling the tender which had won, was not publicised as required by law.
The amount of the tender submission by Kazembe Kazembe, is different from the one announced by the board, which raises questions how the board would print out a higher figure.
Tender submissions
Leabridge’s tender was to the tune of 2,318,935.12, and yet it got awarded one at
2,577,334.01. So what happened to the lumpsum USD258,398.88?
The competing companies with a known capacity to run the installations, are Safeguard, Securico, and Radio Solutions.
The tender win was unceremoniously announced 2 months later, meaning the bidders won’t be able to appeal.
The perm sec for Youth, Sport And Culture Dr Thokozile Chitepo announced saying:
“The Ministry of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation acknowledges receipt of your tender bidding document for tender DOM 003/2021. The Ministry finalised adjudication process and PRAZ has concurred with the Ministry’s recommendation.
“As such, the Ministry writes this communication informing you that tender DOM003/2021 being tender for the supply, delivery, installation arid commissioning of Automated Turnstiles System Electronic Ticketing System, Venue Operation Control. Biometric Access Control and CCTV for Zimbabwe National Sports Stadium nas been awarded to Leabridge Investments (Pvt) Ltd T/A Leabridge Technologies of 26 Harvey Brown Milton Park, Harare at a tender value of two million five hundred seventy-seven thousand three hundred thirty•four and one cent (USD2 577 334.01).”
The letter written by Dr Thokozile Chitepo
Minister Kazembe Kazembe was contacted for a comment and he replied asking, ” which tender? Which tender?” before his phone was swiftly put down.
Kirsty Coventry’s Perm Sec says tender-details are confidential
Contacted for a comment on Tuesday, Kirsty Coventry’s Secretary, Dr Chitepo said she should be contacted a few hours later. She was sent the documents showing the serious discrepancy and was still to comment during the first days of drafting this article.
Meanwhile, contacted again later in the day, the perm sec, Dr Chitepo told ZimEye, “what I want you to know is that there’s absolutely no way that I can disclose this, the proceedings of the tender; and in any case I’m not involved in that and even if I was, there’s no way I could disclose that to anybody, those are confidential and I just will not be able to disclose anything about that process unfortunately.”
Tenders are by law public records which must be both publicised and published.
‘I thought that tenders are public, and according to the law they are supposed to be publicised?,’ she was asked.
To this, Dr Chitepo replied saying “no, no, no, no, no, they are not public, they are public to the extent that there’s in the case of public (sic-not clear) but the internal proceedings are not disclosable, I might as well just have an open shelf and everybody, you know, in any case I am personally not involved in that process anyway,” she said.
She added saying,
“I am just saying to you I’m an administrator in the process, so I definitely, it would be a conflict for me to be involved in that.”
This reporter pressed her on still saying, ‘the reason why I had to ask you is because you’re on the document you signed the document and it cites that your office was also involved, your office, and the board so you equally they’re not only are you named personally but your office so would not be an interest, to probe how the the figures do not match in the end that Leabridge which is connected to a minister by the way it’s owned also owned by a minister, Kazembe Kazembe, and it gets a tender win at a higher figure than the one that actually submitted at the beginning?’
To this, Chitepo said “well, I am sorry I’m not going to be able to disclose anything to you and if you want to you can try to pursue this, in other ways but …”
Praz says communication with authority has to be in writing
Meanwhile, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, was contacted by ZimEye, and an official responsible, only named via phone as ‘Tino’ demanded questions to be sent in writing.
She told our reporter,
“Mr Chikanza, unfortunately all communication with the authority has to be in writing, could you kindly put your request in writing so that we can respond accordingly,” she said.
She was pressed on the fact that the case in public interest, and she reiterated saying, “yes Mr Chikanza I understand what you are saying but could you kindly put it in writing.”
This reporter insisted asking, why she demands an email be sent over something she can clearly see is a theft of nearly USD200,000.
She swiftly put the phone down afterwards.
Minister Kazembe Kazembe was contacted for a comment and he replied asking, ” which tender? Which tender?” before his phone was swiftly put down.
Meanwhile, contacted again later in the day, the perm sec, Dr Chitepo told ZimEye, “what I want you to know is that there’s absolutely no way that I can disclose this, the proceedings of the tender; and in any case I’m not involved in that and even if I was, there’s no way I could disclose that to anybody, those are confidential and I just will not be able to disclose anything about that process unfortunately.”
Tenders are by law public records which must be both publicised and published.
‘I thought that tenders are public, and according to the law they are supposed to be publicised.’
To this, Dr Chitepo replied saying “no, no, no, no, no, they are not public, they are public to the extent that there’s in the case of public (sic-not clear) but the internal proceedings are not disclosable, I might as well just have an open shelf and everybody, you know… in any case, I am personally not involved in that process anyway,” she said.
She added saying,
“I am just saying to you I’m an administrator in the process, so I definitely…it would be a conflict for me to be involved in that.”
Thus reporter pressed her on still saying, ‘the reason why I had to ask you is because you are on the document; you signed the document and it cites that your office was also involved; your office, as well as the board so not only are you named personally but your office as well, so would it not be an interest, to probe how the figures do not match in the end that Leabridge which is owned also by a minister, Kazembe Kazembe, and it now gets a tender win at a higher figure than the one actually submitted at the beginning?’
To this, Chitepo said “well I am sorry I’m not going to be able to disclose anything to you and if you want to you can try to pursue this, in other ways but …”
Meanwhile, the Procurement Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe, was contacted by ZimEye, and an official responsible, only named during the phonecall as ‘Tino’ demanded questions be sent in writing.
She told this reporter, “Mr Chikanza, unfortunately all communication with the authority has to be in writing, could you kindly put your request in writing so that we can respond accordingly,” she said.
She was pressed on the fact that the case in public interest, and she reiterated saying, “yes Mr Chikanza I understand what you are saying but could you kindly put it in writing.”
To this, Chikanza insisted asking, why she demands an email be sent over something she can clearly see is the theft of over USD200,000.
She swiftly put the phone down afterwards.
Winner’s company phones not working.
Meanwhile, the same company that has won the USD 2,5 million tender, was still difficult to reach via phone, with none of its phones being accessible. None of the ground numbers were working and their cellphone unreachable.
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President this week entertained Chipinge masses after escaping an assassination attempt by Zanu PF.
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming! pic.twitter.com/DTuuXJf9Ak
By A Correspondent- The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) said that the opposition MDC Alliance was refusing to cooperate with investigations following allegations that its leader Nelson Chamisa had survived an assassination attempt in Mutare on Tuesday.
ZRP spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said the police received a report of the allegations from the MDC Alliance vice president Lynette Karenyi.
Nyathi told The Herald that a team of detectives has been dispatched to Manicaland to investigate the matter but said the MDC Alliance was not complying with investigations.
He said police had requested the MDC Alliance officials to also bring the vehicles involved in the allegations for forensic examination but they have also not been cooperating. Said Nyathi:
A report was made late at night by Lynette Karenyi and when the police requested to attend the scene, they refused.
Police then requested to have statements of the occupants of the vehicles be recorded and they refused again.
A team from the Ballistics and Forensic Unit in Mutare also wanted to attend the scene but they refused again to show them the scene or area where the incident had occurred.
… Police is ready to conduct investigations and a team of investigators has been dispatched to Mutare to conduct investigations and we want to urge them to cooperate with investigations.
Police want to attend the scene to gather evidence and if possible for any suspect involved in such allegations to be picked up.
Chamisa’s convoy was on Tuesday intercepted by heavily armed ZANU PF youth, who allegedly fired gunshots, hitting a rear window on the opposition leader’s vehicle on the outskirts of Mutare.
On Wednesday, he was blocked again by some ZANU PF youths and security details at Troutbeck turn-off in Nyanga when he was on his way to Ruwangwe.
Chamisa was also attacked in Masvingo last week by a group of ruling party supporters who were waving placards, accusing him of inviting sanctions on the country.
By A Correspondent- MDC-Alliance President made a memorable appearance in Chipinge on Tuesday.
The youthful opposition leader raised the spirits of the villagers by singing and dancing before his address.
Charismatic Chamisa was jovial despite having escaped an assassination attempt by Zanu Pf the same day. He posted on his Twitter account after the address: In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming
In Chipinge.. Greeted warmly by the young and old at Musirizwi .Citizens are ready to WIN Zimbabwe for change. Excellent Citizens conversations and Community Interfaces. Change is coming! pic.twitter.com/DTuuXJf9Ak
The Warriors have suffered a massive drop on the latest FIFA World Rankings released on Thursday.
The national team was in action during the October window, playing in back-to-back World Cup qualifiers against Ghana. The side performed miserably, losing both legs, 3-1 away and 1-0 in Harare.
The results have now seen them dropping five places down to number 118 on the global table and one spot to number 29 on the African ranking.
Meanwhile, Senegal remains the highest-ranked team in Africa, while Belgium retained the top spot in the world.
World Top 10: 1. Belgium, 2. Brazil, 3. France, 4. Italy, 5. England, 6. Argentina, 7. Spain, 8. Portugal, 9. Mexico, 10. Denmark.
Memory Text:
‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength’ ” (Deuteronomy 6:5, NKJV
Introduction
In the Jewish religion, one of the most important prayers is taken from Deuteronomy 6. It is known as “the Shema,” based on the first Hebrew word of the prayer, from the root, shama’, which means “to listen,” or even “to obey”—a word that appears again and again, not just in Deuteronomy but all through the Old Testament. The first line of the Shema reads like this:Shema Yisrael Adonai Elohenu Adonai echad.It means: “ ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one!’ ”
Deut. 6:4, NKJV). Many times when Jews pray it, they cover their eyes, the idea being to let nothing distract them from thinking about God. This first line of the Shema is deemed an affirmation of the monotheistic nature of Adonai Elohenu, “the Lord our God,” and Israel’s loyalty to Him alone and to no other “god.” In fact, it also could be read as “the Lord is our God.”
SABBATH: One of the daily Jewish prayers, “Shema”, is a confession of their faith in God. This influential prayer is taken from Deuteronomy 6 & means “to listen or obey”. The first line points to the believe in only one true God (Deut. 6:4). In reciting “Shema”, the Jews cover their eyes to focus on only God. “Shema” is an equivalent of the Lord’s prayer. Before Israelites entry into Canaan, Moses recited the prayer to them.
SUNDAY: The love of God was the blueprint to possess the Promised Land, Moses recounted. This love comes with obedience. Israel was to obey (Deut. 6:1, 2, 4, 5). In God’s love, they’d not only enter Canaan, they’d also thrive in it. This love is not built on words but established in deeds. It stems from the soul & heart. Our love for God should triumph over our love for anything. God wants “your” (heart) love.
MONDAY: A substitute for the love of God is the fear of God. This fear does not mean to be afraid of God but reverencing Him (His power, authority, & justice). Moses added that Israel was to fear God by solely depending on Him (Deut. 10:12). As fallen beings condemned to death, we need a Supreme Being. Because God saved us from sin, we ought to fear Him. So was Israel saved from slavery (Eph. 2:1-10, Deut. 5:15).
TUESDAY: “God is love” is inscribed on every miracle God wrought on behalf of Israel. God’s love for their fathers was also made manifest in the lives of the Israelites (Deut. 4:37; 7:7, 8, 13; 10:15; 23:5; 33:3). God first loved them when they felt unloved & hopeless (1 John 4:19). Out of love, He designed a plan of salvation even before the world was formed (Eph. 1:4, DA, p. 22). Love led Christ to the cross (Phil. 2:8).
WEDNESDAY: We’re never saved in a crowd. We’re never saved by a national or family faith. We’re saved individually. Everyone ought to be a Christian for him/herself. The “free will” given to the Israelites meant that each of them had to make a choice to love God by obeying Him (see Deut. 5:10, 7:9, 10:12, 13, 11:1, 19:9, 1 John 5:3, John 14:15). Love for God means obeying His law (e.g. Sabbath), but not in legalism.
THURSDAY: The Bible is a unified book. Both the OT & NT testifies of God’s goodness & love. Separating the OT from the NT will rob the NT of its meaning. Prophecies in the OT is the basis for the NT. Christ therefore repeatedly quoted the OT. When asked by a scribe about the first law of all, Christ summed up the whole law as love for God & man (Mark 12:28-30; Deut. 6:4). It is our “present truth” (Rev. 14:12).
FRIDAY: “The cross of Christ will be the science & the song of the redeemed through all eternity.” It will never be forgotten that the Creator of the universe & the darling of heaven died for humanity. “He humbled Himself to uplift fallen man.” The woes of our sins broke the heart of our Savior & crushed out His life on the cross. Christ laid aside His glory to die to save us. Worthy is the Lamb that was slain.
—Ellen G. White, The Great Controversy, pp. 651, 652.
Keywords
DA- The Desire of Ages
OT- Old Testament
NT- New Testament
Scribe- In Jewish tradition, there were 613 laws (Mark 12:28-30).
Captions
SUNDAY- To Love God
MONDAY- To Fear God
TUESDAY- He First Loved Us
WEDNESDAY- “If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments”
THURSDAY- The First Commandment
Discussion Questions
? Read the Ellen G. White statement above. What does it say that should help us understand why our love for God should be the greatest love that we have? Think about what it means that God, the One who “upheld the unnumbered worlds through the vast realms of space” was the One who went to the cross for us. Why should this truth be at the foundation of our relationship with God?
? Dwell more on the idea of loving and fearing God at the same time. How do we do both, and why should we do both?
? It’s one thing to love God when things are going well in our lives. What about when things aren’t going well, when tragedy strikes? Why, during such times, is loving God even more important than when things are going well?
? Go over the final question in Thursday’s study. What are the various approaches that you could take in explaining to someone who isn’t a believer about what it means to love God? How can we human beings love someone whom we’ve never physically seen? Why does it not matter that we have never seen Him, at least in person?
The Sports and Recreation Commission (SRC) has given the green light to ZIFA for at least 2000 vaccinated fans to be allowed in stadiums across the country for the remainder of the Chibuku Super Cup.
Due to the effects of Covid-19, top-flight football has been played behind closed doors but the sports regulatory body has approved the return of fans, as the nation continues to embrace the vaccination drive.
“SRC has approved ZIFA to allow 2000 vaccinated fans for Chibuku Super Cup matches,” announced ZIFA on their Twitter handle.- Soccer24 Zimbabwe
